"The Angel that presided o'er my birth

Said, "Little creature, form'd of Joy and Mirth,

"Go love without the help of any Thing on Earth…"

People thought mountains were… Spiritual, metaphorical, challenging, but most of the time humans never saw mountains as much else. I knew this to be different, a mountain represented something primal in all of us, demon or human, the challenge to overcome, a sublime to embrace. And that's why I came here, I thought to myself as I looked up at the ravenous climb. Also my body grew tired, so a cave would do well to hide in.

I've been moving for so long, four years of fighting and living without aid, even at my young age… My mercenary skills are beyond all of mankind, I am able to lift hundreds of tons, run at speeds faster than any sports car, and no weak human weaponry could even think to penetrate my skin, even if it could, my healing factor would take right care of it.

"Hmph, I wonder if Dante is still the same as he once was, assuming the annoying twit still lives. Probably being festered and living like a parasite, the weak fool he is." I said to nobody as I trekked across the treacherous terrain, Mt. Ebott the villagers called it. I wouldn't think Dante strong enough to survive that night, but my little brother has surprised me before, so I hoped.

With my enhanced reflexes and dexterity, the climb was hardly the challenge the villagers seemed to think it was, it wasn't even particularly cold. Still, even with my demonic heritage which I know makes me effectively immortal, something about this place puts me off… Eventually, I saw an entrance to a cave, finally coming to the end of the beaten path, now the real challenge begins, I hope at least, foolish as it may be.

It was dark, obviously. I tried to convince myself that I wasn't afraid, and that my use of my summoned swords to light the cavern was purely for practical reasons, and yet… Foolishly, I can still see the image of a smiling demon in the shadow of my mind, each time I close my eyes…

It is no issue.

Finally, I could see light shine in from beyond, an opening at the end of the tunnel, I dismissed my summoned swords and gripped tightly to my blade, Yamato. It and the scabbard that held it were my choice of weapon, they comforted me, not that I would admit that to anyone.

Reaching the opening, I instantly noticed how large the cavern truly was, vines and foliage scattered across the entrance, only to suddenly end at a huge gaping pit at the center of it all, instantly entrancing me. Enticing me with a call to adventure, I smirked at the challenge and rocketed into the air, performing a small twirl before falling down deep below the surface.

As I descended, my heart skipped a beat...

My knees buckled as I landed in a bed of flowers with a soft thud, kicking up petals and golden aroma, the only light of the room coming from whence I came, I opened my eyes and absorbed the surroundings, this cave was no different. I looked around for a second or two, adjusting to the darkness once again before shaking my head and continuing my trek, and then something… odd happened.

Without warning, a girl in a striped green and yellow shirt appeared before me, her body and her eyes shut, this mattered not to me however, I placed my blade against her throat in the blink of an eye. But still… She didn't come to life, I glared hard with my piercing blue eyes and noticed a few things about her, she seemed to be my age, if a little older. She had shoulder length chestnut hair and an innocent expression with rosey cheeks to boot, but one would learn not to trust an innocent expression, not in my line of work anyways.

"You, identify yourself, I won't be playing any games, so don't waste my time." My voice was scratchy and nasally, I was on the cusp of puberty so it was normal, but I wish I could've spoken with more authority.

And yet… She still didn't open her eyes, even with a blade next to her throat. It was at that moment I realized that she was actually taller than me, even with her legs levitating from the ground by a few inches, I hardly came up to her chin. Growling, I scoffed at this revelation, Yamato was similarly taller than I and yet I was master to it.

I tightened my grip on Yamato as I saw her eyes twitch slightly, her body coming to life. Slowly but surely her eyes opened, they were the deepest shade of crimson, as if blood solidified into two perfect rubies. A small tinge of satisfaction filled my head as I watched her eyes suddenly snap open, her mouth releasing a scream.

"Get that thing away from me, you filthy human!" Ignoring her crass language, I raised a brow at her terrified expression.

"You are a human too, fool." I replied nonchalantly, my bemusement at a high.

She backed away from me quickly, floating like a ghost would. "So what? I'm not pointing swords at anyone am I? Is that the first thing you pathetic creatures do every time you see someone different than you?" I found myself amused, her face was burning fed and obviously she wasn't very happy with the situation, it brought me delight.

"Foolish girl, in this world it's kill or be killed, until I discerned how much of a coward you were I had to be in control, now I know, and now you can begone from my presence." I finished, walking towards her and the exit in the wall. I could tell she was angered but before she said anything, there was a sudden recollection in her eyes, but I simply moved her aside like she weighed nothing, which she likely did as a ghost, but a ghost one could touch? I wasn't sure how to react to that.

It wasn't long before she was following me.

"Hey! Are you not going to tell me what's going on? Do not ignore me!" I could feel her tiny

smooth hands try to stop me from moving, although she was not able to enact any meaningful force on me, it didn't stop her from trying.

I slapped her hands off my shoulders, "Enough of your rambling, I have to traverse this crypt and find its secrets, I need power, and if this place has any to offer..." Truthfully, I could feel a familiar temporal presence, and it called me to explore.

Furrowing her eyebrows, the girl crossed her arms and began to hover around me. Taking on a questioning gaze, she finally stopped talking. Even if she continued to follow me in her astral form, I could finally continue my train of thought.

'This place… It reeks with demonic energy and presence.' My thoughts could only guide my next actions, I continued down the path. A strange ghost girl was one thing, I'd seen many ghosts and demons in my travels as a merc, it was nothing new, even if her physics were… confusing.

But what I saw next was definitely new, a cross between bizarre and creepy awaited me, at the center of the room I had entered… Was an animated, smiling, golden flower.

"What in the blazes?" I said, scrunching my eyes a bit. My unwanted ghost companion was doing the same, her rosy cheeks puffing up.

"Howdy!" I took a step back, audibly and visibly disgusted.

"It speaks!" I lamented, noticing the slight twitch of the Flower's smile.

"This 'it' has a name y'know, that name being Flowey the flower! Pleasure to meetcha'!" It was animated unnaturally, a feigned friendly disposition marred its face, one I'd grown used to seeing over the years.

I gave a deadpan, "Is that a joke? Of all names you could choose, you choose Flowey, hah, you should be a comedian, you foolish little weed." I smirked suddenly before chuckling softly at the restrained angered expression the flower was trying to hold back.

"Now you liste-" Before the flower could even finish his tirade, I held my blade an inch from its face, an aura blazing around me and lighting my cruel frown with a soft blue tinge. I gained a cruel satisfaction seeing the raw terror etched onto its face, I saw it's eyes flicker to something off in the distance behind me, and with a choked gasp, it retreated back into the soil below. The Yamato is glimmering.

Frowning still, "What a foolish little flower, to challenge me, a devil." Faster than the girl could see, I sheathed my blade, returning to my neutral stance. She had a worried look in her eyes as she began to connect the dots. I am a warrior who had no qualms challenging anyone, but calling myself a devil would've confused anyone.

"W-wait! Just wait one moment!" I sighed and turned back to my unwanted compatriot, her face flushed red as her eyes, and she sighed in turn.

"What is it foolish girl, come to nag me more?"

"No, I apologize about that, I just… I just woke up after being dead, can't you see how that would make someone rather anxious? Your sword wasn't helping either." She looked away from me, tears pooling at the edge of her eyes. If she thought I was going to grant her pity, she was sorely mistaken.

"Perhaps, but that doesn't explain why you're following me." I said without a hint of care, I was bored if anything.

Rubbing her eyes, the girl looked at me with her wide eyes pleading, and for an imperceptible microsecond I felt my defenses weaken. "Listen, I think we started off on the wrong foot." She glided ahead of me, blocking my path once again. Now that she was fully in my vision, I could properly discern what she looked like. Definitely a year or two older than me, taller, and on the cusp of puberty as well… She wore a green and yellow turtleneck that in all honesty, was too baggy for her, or perhaps it was intended to stave off the cold? Irrelevant to me but I analyzed anyways, she also wore black shorts that went down to her knees. She was very nonthreatening, but her eyes served some interest, a deep red opposed to my bright blue.

The female held out her small hand to me, smiling widely from ear to ear, her pearly whites casting a ray of light over her and her well fashioned clothing, a sharp contrast to my shadowed garb, rags and cloaks to protect me from the elements and nothing more.

"I think my soul is attached to you spiritually, so can we be…" she seemed to struggle with this part, "Friends perhaps?"

"..." I was silent for a moment longer, secretly relishing the flush that grew on her face as I continued to stare at her without a single word.

"No."

…

"Well, why not?" She had a genuinely confused look on her face.

I crossed my arms suddenly, "Do you think me stupid? I can sense that hatred behind your eyes, you're no innocent little girl… Get out of my way." The girl choked a sob back suddenly, tears drawing to her eyes like a flood of rain as she fell to her knees. I was taken aback by her sniffles, she was clearly incredibly distressed.

She rubbed her eyes, "I just wanted to be your friend, why be so cruel?" I paused for a moment, unaware of how to stop her from crying, and even less aware of why I cared about such a hate filled creature.

My eyes looked around for someone, anyone to stop her silent sobs from continuing. But sadly it would not be, I was on my own. But maybe that made the ordeal a bit easier as well.

"Stop crying, it's unbecoming, I don't tolerate weakness in my presence." I felt satisfied internally at my handling of her wails, but for some reason she continued to cry as if my lament amounted to nothing.

"You idiot, the last time I cried was when…" Her tears began to subside, and she suddenly grew quiet, face darkening. I curled a brow before continuing on, leaving the female to her devices.

No point in consoling her, how could I?

I am only good for one thing.

The green garbed girl retracted her tears as she watched the odd boy leave, "Damnit, that usually worked quite well on Azzie…" It wasn't often she had to force herself to cry, the last time was so long ago…

But her eyes lit with determination, "I can't let him kill anyone, he's a human… just like the rest, he just wants to kill and maim everyone I ever knew… If they are even around still…" so she began to float after him, a determined expression on her face.

'We failed… Damnit Asriel you spineless… Damnit.'

Entering through the path ahead, the first sight I was greeted with was resounding purple, ancient architecture covered in moss and vines, as if aged. I caressed a wall, rubbing the soot of the stone into my fingers as I felt the texture, it was unlike any stone I'd ever felt. But by far the most confusing thing that was at the center of the room, is the glowing… star? It burned brightly and yet was self contained, I wondered…

My hands touched the star, and instantly I felt its warmth enter me, a source of strength and power I'd never felt before, it revitalized me in ways my regeneration factor could never, my face warped into a grin. "Is this the source of power I was sensing before? Excellent, I wonder if I could…" I placed my hand on the star once more, using my own demonic spirit to pull it. I felt its raw energies enter my body and absorb into my bloodstream, empowering my life force and filling my hunger, and to my surprise… My resolve as well.

"Are you really a demon?" The girl again, she'd snapped me out of my trance, maybe now that I was in a better place I could properly deal with her.

"No, I am a step above, I am a devil, listen girl, where do you think the source of my irresistible strength arrived from? Certainly not from human blood." She snorted at my use of irresistible, clutching her stomach as she began to chuckle as if I had said something really funny.

"You are quite humorous, a devil who looks like a human? Don't make me laugh, you're just trying to fit in before you cut everyone down aren't you?" I curled a brow, readjusting my silver hair and scoffing, what had she meant by that?

"I am a devil, half at least, the other half is human. I won't be explaining to the likes of you, but that's the truth. Now, tell me what you mean by fitting in? Are you implying this is a world of demons?" I felt my gaze darken and narrow to accentuate my last question, it was a joy to watch an immaterial ghost squirm under my gaze.

"W-well, yeah, this is the underground, almost exclusively demons live here, but the well meaning kind!" She added on quickly, I began to laugh for real, sticking the butt of my scabbard into the ground for support.

"The good kind? That might be the most audacious drivel I've heard in many years, don't jape with me, girl."

"You talk like a pedant." My eyes twitched.

"I talk proper, maybe you should try it sometimes, ghost." I spat the last part out, clearly not amused.

She scowled at me, her face blew up red as her eyes. "I have a name you know-"

"Irrelevant to me, cease your drivel, I'm continuing on." I didn't even look back, I cared little for what she had to say. But as I made my way up the stairs, I was revitalized, but I still wasn't ready for who I was about to run into.

I sensed its presence long before It did mine, unsheathing my blade before the creature could attack. "Prepare to die, demon!" The creature yelped and took a few steps back, obviously surprised.

"Stop! Don't touch her please! DONT kill!" I heard the cries of the girl from behind me, my mind hardly registered them-

"She's my mother!" I stopped at that point, my blade began to shake in my hands. Did that mean, she was a half demon as well?

"Oh my, what a sharp blade you have there my child!" The womanly voice confused me, but as I paid more attention to the initially demon-like silhouette I quickly realized she was not your average grotesque monster, she was dressed in a rather eloquent garb, purple and bearing a rune… This demon seemed to have no Ill will towards me… but I had learned long ago not to trust such intentions.

"Demon, why have you approached me? Can't you feel my raw demonic presence, surely you don't think you can defeat me one on one?" The demonic presence I felt from her was high for a demon, but I could take her if her current energies were truthful.

The goat demon didn't seem much like a demon right now as she clasped her hands and looked at me gently, "I mean you no harm my child, it's been a long time since I've seen a new human in the underground, much less a warrior oh goodness me." I couldn't sense any deception from her, nor could I sense evil intent.

The demon was tall, incredibly tall. Two small horns jutting out of her fuzzy cranium, she bore a resemblance to religious depictions of a goat. But was far more innocent, bearing no malign design.

I tilted my head, "Hm… I am no human, but this misunderstanding can be forgiven, simply move from my path." If this really was the girl's mother… I may have killed before, but killing a mother was below me.

With a casual ease, I resheathed my blade and moved the demon to the side, her yelps signified how shocked she was at my strength, as she was easily a head and then some taller. But before I could trudge past her, she tried to place a hand on my shoulder; "Wait a minute my child, I can-" I released a dark presence from my spirit, stopping her and the ghostly spectre in place with my aura.

"Let go of me, I am no child, clearly you are incapable of sensing energies, demon." She was able to feel it now, her face took on a grim expression as I turned and walked forth.

I was met by a long hallway, spikes blocking my path, I merely leapt over them with my enhanced abilities. The path led me to another room, one with an odd looking dummy, hardly a demon. I ignored it and turned left, entering another room filled with spikes. I smiled a little.

"This place is… peculiar…"

My legs exploded into motion as I leapt into the air and landed adjacent to the wall, my soles

leaving imprints before I dissipated from sight and reappeared in a blur of motion at the other side, a trick as I called it. It allowed me to move instantaneously across a limited distance, regardless of what was between me and my destination.

Regardless, I continued on.

As I entered the next area, I realized it was an incredibly long corridor; I groaned. "Whoever designed this place… Will know my wrath." I felt a familiar presence appear to the left, the girl was floating next to me with her elbow propping her body up, as if she was laying down.

"You know, you really hurt her feelings. Mother is a sweet woman, she didn't deserve that."

"Is that so? Well I'm afraid that should we cross paths again, I'll offer her the same courtesy as I did last time." She flicked my shoulder in response, attempting to be 'playful' as Dante would call it.

"Don't do that again."

"Or what? You can't kill me, I'm already a ghost." I seethed, gyrating my teeth.

"Someone must've come to the same conclusion I have then…" I muttered under my breath, pinching my nose.

"What? You say something?" She slurred intentionally, somehow even more annoyingly.

"Mind your own business." She didn't, levitating down near my scabbard, she began to inspect it as if she's never seen a sword before.

"Strange sword, where'd you get it?" Ahh so she has, just not a Japanese styled katana.

I glared down at her, "A story not suited for children, so remove yourself from my presence." I hmphed, seeing the end in sight. I promptly sped up and left her behind.

She saw it as well and sped up to block my path before I could leave, "Wait a moment, can you promise me one thing, I'll do whatever you ask if you do, but I can't let you kill anyone here, they've done nothing wrong." She pleaded with me, looking directly at me with her huge eyes.

"I can't promise such things, in self defense I may have to kill, these are the ways of the world, it's kill or be killed." She flinched at the words once again, almost as if they meant something to her.

"I… I understand, but if you are truly as strong as you seem to think, then I doubt you'll find a need for that here… The underground is filled with demons, but Mundus has no control here, they are a peaceful clan-" My eyes shot to attention suddenly, she knew about Mundus.

"Mundus? Girl what would you know about Mundus? This place truly has no connection to him!?!" I grabbed her shoulders, despite her being incorporeal.

She slipped away from me with a scathing glare, "Hands off ruffian, I'll tell you but don't do anything stupid." I curled a brow and eagerly awaited what she was going to say. We had stopped right before the exit.

She sighed before staring ahead of me, "The demons of the underground were here after the final war of demons and Sparda, trapped underground by the humans and their stupid magic barrier long ago, a barrier so strong that no demon could crack it. Nobody could leave, only enter. The demons of the underground are not at all similar to the demons who serve Mundus, they are way less violent and way weaker, and they tried to live in peace with humanity unlike Mundus…" I could

tell she abridged it and had more to let on, perhaps I should've treated her less harshly… Dammit.

"Is that it?" I pushed, she wagged her finger at me stifling my greed.

"Don't get greedy, you get what you get, maybe you should've been more pleasant, perhaps?" I growled, cursing my impudence, this girl could be a guide to me and show me the secrets of this demonic underground I realized.

I calmed my expression, "I apologize for my earlier behavior, it was uncouth of me." I hoped that would be good enough for her, as I really wasn't one to apologize.

She made a thoughtful gesture, "Mhm, not quite, little man." My eyebrow twitched, she'd finally noticed our height difference.

She smiled at me, "But you can make it up to me if you don't kill anyone, I'll share all I know." I grumbled, I didn't enjoy the prospect of being bullied into a pact.

"You browbeating…" I reigned in on my muttering, "Very well then, I will stave off violence for the time being, but I will not dither to defend myself. Let us continue." If I was anything, It was rational. She would most likely be correct in her judgements about the strength of these demons, the strongest so far being that Goat demon from before, and she was hardly stronger than the average higher tier demon on the surface.

The odd girl clasped her hands with a squeal of joy, the dastardly sound harming my ears. "Cease that at once girl." I growled out, only for her to giggle at my annoyance, she loved tormenting people is all I could conclude.

"You're too easy to annoy, and well… since you happen to be stuck with me, you'd better prepare for it." I rubbed my face in response, companions almost always slowed me down as few as I've had. But I reminded myself why I even bothered, finally coming through the exit.

To my left was an odd creature that resembled a frog, to my right, another path downwards. Behind the creature was a door to a small room, "That's a Froggit by the way, little guys couldn't hurt a fly… Or, well that's all they could hurt." Her attempts at humor did little to change my mood as I turned to enter the room. She grumbled before brightening her mood artificially.

The girl floated in front of me, "Howdy, my name's Chara, mind introducing yourself? Or be a downer, pick hurriedly." Why was her way of speaking so familiar?

"Your name is Chara? Like character? Interesting, my name however is not here nor there." That is all I said as we entered the room, there was a bowl atop a pedestal.

She hmphed, "I see, false Shakespeare. You speak too much like an adult, how old are you?"

"None of your concern."

"I'm 13, the last I checked…" My eyes twitched imperceptibly, I prayed to whatever higher powers there were that she didn't notice.

She did.

"Pfft, you're younger than me? I guess that makes some sense, since you're shorter, hehe." My face shadowed incredibly, and I picked up my pace towards the bowl.

"Only hardly…" I muttered as I looked down at the contents of the bowl, my eyes widening slightly as I realized it was candy.

"Take one please!" I read out loud, nodding. I dipped my hand in the bowl and grabbed a single piece before turning on a dime and heading back outside, much to the shock of the ghostly girl following me.

If there was one thing I wasn't, it was greedy for material possession.

The ruins as Chara had called them, were aptly named, the floor and walls had been cracked and decayed exponentially, no matter to me as I had navigated far worse, yet there seemed to be a lingering mystery here… What exactly happened to this world?

"Y'know, I thought little kids were supposed to be with their parents…"

"Interesting hypothesis, girl."

"I see you didn't realize I was talking about you, are you alright in the head?"

Before I could respond, I noticed a large see through object laying down in the way of my path, and it was emitting… strange noises. I swiftly reached for it, but found my hands going through instead, and slowly the ghost came to life.

"Oh… hey there… sorry for being in your way…" for some reason upon saying this, the ghost remained in my way, he seemed depressed, not that I cared.

"Oooh a ghost like me, hey friend, can you see me?" The weird girl approached the weird ghost, its inexpressible face changing slightly.

"Oh… Yes I can see you… Are you two friends?" Tears began to build up around his eyes, the ghost seemed saddened.

"Yes, best friends even! My name is Chara, what's yours?" She seemed a lot more lively when talking to another ghost it seemed, the double handed insults gone from her vocabulary.

'Wait what did she say we were?'

"Oh that's nice… my name is Napstablook, don't worry about remembering it." He was self deprecating as well, I scoffed audibly drawing the ire of my companion.

"Ghost, why cry?" I asked simply, intrigued why an offshoot of demon would be even capable of such a thing.

He looked towards me, tears doubling "Oh… I'm sorry…" It was likely a defense mechanism, if anything.

"Don't apologize, you're a demon aren't you? A ghost? Have some pride, there is no need for tears." My tone was perfectly objective, no scathing words nor accommodating pleasantries.

"I guess… I just can't help it… oh I've wasted your guys time haven't I?" He began to tear up again, much to Chara's chagrin.

"Do not listen to him, it's quite alright to cry my ghostly friend, downer over there just doesn't know how." She glared at me, trying to comfort the ghost while it teared up silently.

"Peh, think nothing of my words if you so wish, I just ask that you move from our path so I can continue my travels." I requested to which the ghost replied instantly, "I suppose I can do that… Sorry…"

The ghost moved to the side so I could pass, I gave it a nod before continuing and leaving the two ghosts to their own devices.

"I despise that guy, I honestly do. But I'm stuck with him, me, stuck with a damned human hybrid… thing! I hate it." Chara vented to her newfound friend, the two laying down on the red bed of petals. She knew that there was a range limit for their connection, as obscure as it was, any second she'd reform next to him.

Her new friend spoke softly, "Don't hate him… he probably doesn't have very many friends either… I understand him that way… And he isn't wholly human I don't think… But I'm just theorizing…" He was afraid that he'd come off as a know it all.

"Don't worry now Napstablook, I'll be your friend, even if I have a hard time with that uncouth half human… Maybe you're right, but humans aren't quick to change." Her mind could remember the scathing remarks from so long ago…

"You're a former human… And you seem to dislike them more than most monsters… You are an interesting ghost…"

"Thank you! You too."

I chowed down on a donut as I walked through the halls, traversing traps and the like with little difficulty. Thankfully with the gold I had been allowed from my investigation and various encounters with the locals, I was able to afford this confection… it was passable. My mere presence caused most creatures to wane and evade my path, and the ones who did try to confront me could hardly levy an attack before being scared to their bones. And even despite the many stars to absorb, I was unable to resist the temptation of a sugary food.

"How's that donut hm? Hopefully sweet enough to make your frown turn upside down, but I don't think that's possible for you, mystery boy." I learned to ignore her ceaseless ramblings, as nothing she said to me was of any value as of yet, even though I'd stayed my blade.

Before long, I'd finally reached the end of the road, a tree standing high and tall above me as I came closer. Behind it was a house, was it abandoned?

"Ah, I remember this place." Chara spoke softer than I'd ever heard, she was definitely a resident of this underground world, even despite me not being able to sense a hint of demonic energy from her.

"You lived here?" For some reason, I felt nostalgic upon looking at it as well.

"No, but my family did for a little while."

All my understanding of demons as lesser creatures may have remained unfettered, but the evidence was before me as it stood, these demons as different as they were… Possessed something that separated them from the vulgar crowd, and the evidence was right in front of me.

"Is there more to this world? Or am I at the end of my journey? Answer me this one time."

"Your journey? For power? That could never end, but right now? There is much more to these ruins than what's meeting the eye, an entire world beyond it waiting for us." She was smarter than

she let on with her use of words, but I couldn't help but feel a nagging suspicion that she was warning me.

About what?

Before I could ponder further, I heard heavily padded steps from behind. "Oh goodness! It's you again, are you willing to talk with me? My apologies for startling you earlier." The woman from before, the demon who bore no Ill will towards me, an enigma. Before I could even address her in this disheveled state she was in, the horned woman had asked me if I would talk… She was rather forward with what she wanted, but I preferred this over the motherly role she tried to take over me.

"Is this your domain? Your living?" I asked softly without turning to look at her, I had absorbed the star ahead of me already, and so my mind was at peace, if just for a moment.

The goat-demon didn't respond for a moment, I could feel her worried gaze on the back of my head. "Oh dear… What have you gone through?" She muttered below her breath, although I was able to hear her anyway.

She finally nodded, "Yes, this is my home, and if you'd like, it can be yours as well." My eyes shot open before narrowing dangerously, my grip tightened around the Yamato and and turned on a heel to face her. She was smiling at me.

I reigned in my anger last second, "I need no home, I am a wandering mercenary, I need the source of power that emanates from this place, I need MORE POWER." It was something I had been repeating to myself for many years now, since that day, a self assuring mantra.

She nodded with a calculating gaze for whatever reason, even with her smile unchanging, "I see, well, I can't promise anything for you dear, but I can try to tell you as much I can…" She was sad at my outburst, that was evident, I merely scoffed. Feeling the cold gaze on the back of my head much unlike the demon's, I glance to see Chara still levitating above me with a glare marring her innocent face.

I turned back to the woman, "Don't try to mother me, it's unbecoming of a being so strong, I don't tolerate weakness from me or others, and not from myself either." I repeated what I said earlier to the foolish girl who wouldn't leave me alone.

"Oh, you can sense my demonic energy? I'm impressed young one, and I apologize." She bowed to me, I tried to look elsewhere but was met with the fury of my astral companion. I stuttered slightly as the goat-demon took my hand and guided me into her housing. This time I didn't pull away, the warmth of her fur was somewhat comforting… Not that I'd admit it.

"My name is Toriel by the way, I am the caretaker of these ruins."

I paused for but a moment.

"My name… doesn't matter."

"Then it doesn't matter, come, I could prepare a pie if you'd like?" She spoke to him without the motherly, childish tone from before, but from her genuine self… He appreciated it, if there was anything he hated..

It was being perceived as weak.

"... My thanks, demon." She beamed at me, and so did her 'daughter'

She'd left me to explore her house, saying that in moments she'd have a pie ready for me. I couldn't deny to myself I was a sweet tooth, but it was a weakness I refused to admit outright. She turned to the left and requested I get familiar with the place, even in spite of my immediate goal to leave.

While in my thoughts, the spectre hovered at my side with a thankful look, "You did better this time, thank you." Chara spoke to me in a less demeaning tone, but all I could do was grumble as I trudged through the hallway, the revitalization of the star wearing off already, it was no substitute for food and a good night's rest, and even if my devil blood allowed me to stay awake for days at a time, fatigue eventually caught up, it always did.

"I didn't do anything, I merely acted with a higher level of manners, my feelings have not changed, once I am rested and fed, I shall continue onwards." My absolute echoed for a second or two, and the silence was crashed through by the sigh of my ghostly companion.

"I guess that's all I can hope for, and here I thought humans couldn't get anymore selfish." I didn't react outwardly to her comment, "You are more human than I, girl, Toriel is not your mother." She chuckled, gesturing to an invisible audience.

"Truly ingenious deduction, wonder how you came to that conclusion, brainlet." Her crass language was mildly concerning, even to me.

"You speak too roughly for a girl your age." I turned a corner and entered a room sharply after saying that, avoiding the onslaught of obscenities thrown my way with the click of a door shutting.

Laid before me was a child's bedroom, a single bed with plushies between it and the wall. I tore off the rags that were my clothing and left them clumped at the center of the room, leaving my chest bare, my legs covered. As I held the amulet wrapped around my neck, I cared not for the appearance of Chara in the room.

My blue eyes narrowed into slits, her ruby red eyes widened as they caught mine, face turning even redder than usual. I scoffed at her leave as she dissipated behind the wall from whence she came.

Her body flushed behind the wall, her hands and body laid flat against it. "Dear Asgore… That devil boy is too much of a human to make me flustered like this…" The red eyed girl shook her head and slapped her cheeks, cursing herself underneath her breath.

"I'm such an idiot." She slumped against the wall, wallowing in her moment of weakness, she wanted to hate that guy so much…

"But he's so confusing… Respectful yet arrogant, prideful yet softly spoken, violent but reserved… An enigma if I've ever seen one… Darn, why couldn't I have bonded my soul to a mute instead? Would be a lot less confusing, arghhh!" Yelping suddenly, Chara stood to her feet as her mother swiftly passed through her, a plate with a slice of pie in hand, she gently turned the doorknob.

"Young one, I'm coming in." When there was no response, she entered quietly. Her eyes glazed over the sleeping form of the mysterious boy, his arm holding the blade close to him as if he would be attacked at any moment. Toriel nodded before kneeling down at the center of the room, leaving the confection at the center of the room before turning to him and taking a blanket in her arms.

"Rest now, I can see in your eyes, hardened as they are, that you've seen many horrors in your time, an unfitting fate for someone as innocent. I wish you a peaceful sleep." She put her hand out to touch the boy's forehead as he slept, but pulled back just before she could.

Chara watched from the hallway, her red eyes slipping out from behind the wall as she witnessed the interaction, frowning as Toriel walked through her once more, hoping for a second that the goat-demon would feel anything… but alas, nothing.

"How can you do it Mother… how can you see him and… Want to protect him? To comfort him? A human, a demon with no empathy?" A being like he was, he could only bring misery to those around him.

Just like her, so long ago.

"D-Dante…" The ghost shot her attention towards the Devil.

In my dreams, there was a fire.

And then I woke, my eyes snapping open clear as day. I sat up instantly feeling Yamato at my side before moving my legs out of the covers and onto the ground below, my head was finally cleared up slightly from the short sleep.

Long has it been since I started getting dreams of the fire that plagued my existence, the dawn of my new life, that day… The house is burning to cinders…

"Pathetic…" I spoke to myself, looking where I left my clothing only to see a new assortment of garb next to a single slice of pie… She had replaced my rags with a black pair of pants, a black undershirt, and a blue turtleneck coat that was meant to stave off the cold… She had guessed my favorite color…

"That woman…" My stomach grumbled, and for once I mindlessly let myself be lost to the urges of my hunger. Taking the pie in my hand, somehow it was still warm, the confection was baked evenly and just perfect I could tell, I leveraged it into my mouth. A muted ecstasy filled my body as the desert melted away in my mouth, quite literally becoming pure energy. For the first time since many nights and many days, I felt a true smile curve into my lips as I devoured the pie with high vigour.

"Didn't think you liked pastries so much… That donut didn't get you addicted to sugar, I'd hope not?" I choked for a second, my face slightly flushing before I turned to glare at Chara, her amused smirk infuriating me to no end.

"Must you ruin everything, girl?" I asked honestly, pulling my new pair of pants up and then slipping the undershirt over my body. It wasn't cold enough to wear the jacket quite yet.

"No, but since you want to be a jerk all the time, I must remind you how much I appreciate it." She snickered before turning away and exiting through a wall, I had finished the pie before she even finished leaving.

"Hmph, foolish human…"

The living room was warm, lit by a gentle flame that seemed warm to the touch instead of dangerous. I strolled past Chara who was busy laying down flat on her back next to the fire, much like that Napstablook fellow from before. Toriel herself was busy reading a book in the rocking chair besides the fire as well.

"You're awake, that's good." She didn't look up from her reading, but she spoke to me with a soft friendly tone.

"... Your pie was... Passable." She chuckled quietly at my feigned admittance, Chara was gobsmacked herself much to my hidden amusement. To think I could show my appreciation.

"Think nothing of it my child, I live now to take care of the fallen children who arrive here… For whichever reason they deem dire, they come here for one or another. I realize it wouldn't be smart to pry into you, so I won't bother you much my child, promise." She smiled at me warmly, I couldn't help but feel warm myself.

"Smart choice… Toriel…" It had been a long time since I used someone else's name.

She then glanced downwards to my blade with a curious look, "Although if you don't mind me asking, what is the extent of your skill with that blade? It seems rather impressive even for a human weapon." She meant that as a compliment, meaning she'd seen humans prior?

Regardless, I spoke as objectively as possible. "My skills are incredible, I have trained since my youth and have indescribable reflexes and speed. My sword, the Yamato, is enchanted with the ability to cut through anything." I unsheathed it slightly, allowing a small glimmer of the blade to escape.

She looked with a fascination in her eyes, "Incredible, my child, you are truly a devil then?" I nodded curtly, much to her satisfaction.

A small smile curved upon her muzzle, "Well, you are certainly much better mannered than the devil's I've met in my time…" She trailed off, closing her book completely.

"Yep, she's old as bones, she doesn't seem to show it though." Chara spoke from the ground, her eyes still firmly planted on the ceiling above. I sat down next to Chara, my Yamato leaning against me as I leaned by the fire and embraced its warmth. "This fire… it's unlike any I've ever felt, as if I could place my hand in and all it would do is bring a slight warmth."

"Why actually, it's my fire magic, I can freely control the temperature of it." My eyes warmed with mystique, such a power… Most demons were raw, primal in nature, their flames licked at the hottest they could. But… Toriel chose a calm flame instead. It was a true testament to her character, and yet I had been ready to cut her down as if she was the average demon. I wondered at that moment, had my pursuit for power truly blinded me to the nuance of the world?

No.

Nothing could shake my resolve…

"Dark revolving in silent activity:

Unseen in tormenting passions;

An activity unknown and horrible;

A self-contemplating shadow,

In enormous labours occupied…" I lamented suddenly, my voice soft.

Chara flipped over onto her stomach, her eyes widened slightly after my recitation. "I didn't think you were a poet, you're sure full of surprises huh?" I didn't respond to her, only catching the eyes of Toriel as she smiled warmly down at me.

"I guess you could say that…" Trailing off, Toriel seemed to have wanted to say something but stopped herself at the last second. I didn't let the confusion get to me, and continued to rest by the fire.

"She was going to say a pun, but you are too much of a downer that she doesn't want to anymore.." Chara groaned, and couldn't imagine why she was bothering to speak at the moment.

"My… My friend, what is it that you want to know about us down here?" Toriel asked me, I was glad she dropped the "my child.", Truly, I don't want to be known as such anymore…

I thought for a moment, "Do you know of Mundus? Can you tell me of him?" She nodded solemnly, a grim expression donning her fuzzy face.

"Why yes, I do, oh how it's been so long… My ex-husband was once a mighty general in his demonic army, but… When Sparda turned against Mundus, he gained his own followers, ASGORE… was one of them and we attempted to live in peace with the humans for a while, offering them protection from other demons despite our realm being of the weaker ilk. When Sparda severed the link between the human and demon worlds, we chose to stay with the humans, forming a close relationship…" I listened intently, history was a subject I subscribed to and so I could not dither to absorb as much as I could… Knowledge is power, Sparda himself would say...

A melancholic smile appeared on her face, "The humans grew weary of us after many centuries of status quo, our benefits to their world taken for granted in place for fear of our ability to absorb human souls and become more powerful than what could possibly be imagined, they banished us here after a bloody war fearing exactly that." Shutting her eyes, I could see the moisture pool around them.

My mind racing, could hardly respond, "I see…", Chara seemed to have a cruel vicious snarl, her eyes burning brightly at the story. I even felt myself taken aback slightly by the masked hatred behind her innocent expression, certainly there was more than meets the eye.

Chara interjected with her own opinion on the matter, "That's right, humanity took the demons of the underground for granted, a sinless race of people compared to those filthy primates…" Venom dripped from her every word, I could see her clothing begin to flow gently around her as she exercised her will.

I turned back to Toriel, who was watching me curiously. "Tell me, young one, why is it that you've come here? Truly?" I knew the answer almost immediately.

"Power."

"For the sake of it?" She has a tinge of despair lacing her question, as if she thought I was merely power hungry.

"No, without power you can't protect anything, much less yourself, without power… You are a mere slave to the world and it's machinations." The horned-demon gave me a small look of sorrow, holding her hand over her chest.

"I see, I'm sorry the world has been too cruel to you…" My eyes flickered with frustration for a moment, before calming. I wasn't in the mood for much conversation anymore.

"This power of a human soul… Do you think a half devil like me could acquire it?" Toriel paused for a small moment, gaining a quizzical gaze.

"It was a power specialized by our realm that set us apart from the rest, born weaker, but given the chance, a human soul would make us incredibly powerful… I'm not sure, it's truly something I'm unable to answer." I sighed, looking away from Toriel, she continued to read. Chara laid away from him as they spoke, her outburst earlier made her feel… Childish, I could only surmise.

Suddenly, I asked the question I knew she was dreading for whatever reason, "Toriel, how do I leave here?" Like a pin drop, my words echoed throughout the room, drowned out by the silence that followed.

"..."

"I would rather you not leave, but I can tell by the look in your eyes that you cannot be persuaded." The tone of voice she used… It was detached, as if she had been disillusioned. She looked through me, as if I no longer existed.

Toriel stood suddenly, leaving swiftly, me and Chara both watched as she did so, me with a stoic frown, and her with a worried glance. I hastily followed after, only to be stopped by Chara, her arms raised to the side in order to halt my stride.

"Listen to me right now you filthy mongrel..." She grinded out those curses with a guttural tone, her eyes narrowed into slits.

"If you kill her, I will make your life a living hell for the rest of your days, I will make you regret ever stepping foot in these ruins!" I scoffed at her, nudging her out of my way only to feel a slight grip on my arm.

She stared directly into my eyes, red versus blue "You think I'm kidding right now don't you? Listen to me, I'm begging you, I get that we humans love to inflict suffering on others, especially when we are suffering ourselves, but please…" She looked downwards suddenly, her voice beginning to fade and crack as her realization of powerlessness seeped in.

"I don't want to lose the only Mother I've ever known…" I removed her hand from my arm, staving my gaze and taking in a solid breath of air.

"I won't kill her." I said.

"..."

I continued on, leaving Chara in the living room by her lonesome. I had a mission to complete, before leaving, I grabbed the blue coat from the room I had slumbered in.

I trudged through the decrepit basement halls beneath her home, descending down the stairs I knew she had just a moment prior. The she-demon was an enigma to me, displaying an intelligence beyond that of the average demon, while holding the purity of a mother, not unlike...

"Silence…" Quieting my inner monologue, I knew once I turned this corner I would be faced with Toriel once again. Before I knew it, there she was, standing with her back faced towards me and the room shadowed by the flames that licked her hands.

"Six." She spoke, a tragedy lined on her vocal cords.

"Six children before you, each one different, each one unique, of differing ages and motivation… Six. Six children I never got to see again." She said, her monologue ending.

I frowned, "I am no child."

She nodded, "Perhaps not, but you are still young, and how it hurts me so to see you in such a state of anger and sorrow, no matter how much you try to hide, a mother can see these things. And it hurts me more to know that if I let you through, you might end a life…" My response died in my throat as she turned her gaze to me, the friendly woman before was no more.

"And if you die, then Asgore will take your soul, he only needs seven to destroy the barrier and wage war against human kind, his plan… He wants to destroy them all…"

"He's not wrong to want such a thing."

"You'd side with him? A murderer? He's killed every last one of you fallen children..." If she was disappointed, she didn't show it.

I scoffed at her reductionism, "His motivation is strong, I can tell that much. He is right to despise humanity, to wish for their downfall, humanities evil's are near unending." I was no human, I was a devil, a higher class of existence. Humanity was a sorely weakling race of creatures, I saw them without mirth or malice.

"And yet they are just as capable of good, that's their duality isn't it? Their choice?" A part of me knew she was right, but I was hardly in the mood to argue philosophy with a demon, especially regarding humanity.

"Enough, allow me to pass." She tsked, her face contorting into a mocking snarl.

"Just like the others, fine…"

She began to stare through me, aloof and unattached. "I won't bother stopping you, the small moment I felt your strength when we first met you proved to me then and there that nothing in my power that would let me beat you into obeying me." Her ears began to droop, the flames in her hands dying out as her emotions shifted from aloof to sad. I had won the battle before it had even begun.

"..." I said nothing as she approached me, no tears in her eye, but a solemn expression none the less.

And then… She wrapped her arms around my small frame, burying me in the crook of her fuzzy neck. I released a small breath as if I had been hit with a giant club, my eyes shaking and my arms hanging loosely at my sides. I couldn't move, hardly even could I breath with her warmth covering my body.

We remained that way for some time, eventually I collected myself, staring through her as she embraced my tiny body without me returning it. It felt like hours before she released me finally, my heart didn't beat any faster, my skin only felt colder. And my eyes burned no brighter, my heart simmered despite it.

Standing to her full height, she refused to look down at me, "After you leave… Please don't come back." That was all she could manage before walking past, I didn't move from my spot, didn't look back to see her leave. I simply walked forward, opening the exit and taking my leave…

But before I left, I asked one more question.

"Toriel?" My voice was soft.

"..."

"Did you know Sparda?"

"... I did not, only Asgore… Only he knew Sparda." I nodded, exiting the ruins at last. Disgusted at my acceptance of her help, her charity, my heart yearned to escape her influence. But…

For whatever little she could make me feel…

Toriel…

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