Hello, and welcome to chapter 3! I honestly didn't expect to be pumping out chapters this fast, but don't expect me to keep it up. I won't be able to keep to a schedule like this for too long. My updates will most likely be inconsistent. Anyway, I have nothing else to say, so enjoy the chapter!
"What a terrible creature, torturing such poor, innocent youths."
The new figure said in a soft, almost motherly voice. She started to approach Zenko, her hands clasped in front of her.
As she approached, Badd quickly evaluated her appearance. She was very tall compared to humans, standing at almost nine feet. She was covered from head to toe in white fur. She had floppy ears, tiny horns, and looked like a humanoid goat. She also wore a purple robe that went down to her ankles, bearing some strange symbol that Badd couldn't identify.
Never the less, despite her innocent demeanor, he wasn't about to be fooled twice. Badd rushed over to Zenko at superhuman speeds, putting himself in between them.
"Oh, HELL no! No way am I letting you touch her, I've made that mistake with that bastard weed already!"
A bit startled by his speed, the monster had to recollect herself before responding.
"Do not be afraid, my child. I can understand that you would be wary of me after you're... unfortunate experience with that wretched flower, but I can assure you that I mean you nor your sister any harm."
"Oh yeah, and why should I believe you huh?! You're a monster, and all monsters take pleasure in causing death and destruction, and I doubt that you're any different. I would have to be a real idiot to let something like you even get close to her! The only reason that I didn't kill the weed immediately is because I didn't even think that it was a monster. And look what happened!"
Badd finished his rant, his unwavering resolve to protect his sister made the monster smile, but his previous statement also confused her.
"My child, monsters have not roamed the surface for thousands of years, so what you are calling "monsters" must be something else."
The monster's statement confused Badd.
"The hell are you talking about lady? Monsters have been around for decades now! While some are born naturally, they are usually former humans that have become monsters due to their violent tendencies."
This new piece of information served to distress the monster.
"That sounds... quite terrible, to lose yourself like that. However, what these humans become can't be a monster. Monsters are compassionate and caring, not ruled by obsession and rage like what you are describing."
Badd seemed to think on this for a minute, before fixing his glare back on her.
"I think that you're just throwing a bunch of shit at me."
The monster sighed, before speaking in an understanding voice.
"I do not expect you to trust me immediately, but perhaps it would help if I introduce myself."
She smiled warmly. "My name is Toriel. I am the caretaker of the ruins. I pass by this spot every day to see if anyone has fallen down. And I am now glad I have done so. If I had not arrived at that very moment, I loath to think what would have become of you and your sister. You are the first humans to come here in a very long time."
Badd narrowed his eyes.
"I don't care what your name is, it doesn't make me trust you any more. How do I know that you didn't chase the weed off so that you could take our souls for yourself?"
Toriel seemed horrified at the very idea.
"Oh!? Why, I would never do something as horrible as that! It seemed words aren't quite convincing you, so maybe a demonstration would help. Would you let me see your chest?"
Badd was still wary, but, deciding that if she tried anything, he could easily take it, he resigned and begrudgingly allowed her to see his chest.
"Thank you my child, now hold still."
Toriel's hands suddenly started to emit a green glow, putting Badd on edge. As she pressed her hand to one of the bruises that he had gotten from one of Fowey's pellets, instead of any sort of pain, like he was expecting to feel, a warm sensation came across his body. He looked up at Toriel, confused.
"The hell did you do to me lady?"
"I used my healing magic on you. Your wounds should be healed now. Even if they weren't at all severe, I would prefer it that you have none to begin with."
Badd was confused, very confused. Why was Toriel, a monster, helping him? That's when he realized, what she had said earlier may have had some merit to it. Perhaps she truly didn't have an ulterior motive, and maybe there were other monsters like her. A seed of doubt had been placed into Badd's mind, however small it may be, but it was enough for him to relent.
"Do her." He said simply, pointing at Zenko.
"She has much worse wounds than I did. But if you try anything, I won't hesitate to smash your head in, got it?" Badd said, twirling his bat for emphasis.
"Oh! I had nearly forgotten about her! Oh the poor dear! She is clearly In pain!"
It was true, Zenko's breaths were shallow, and she whimpered in her sleep. Her dress was soaked in blood in the areas where the pellets had hit her as well. Toriel's hands lit up once more, as she applied her healing magic to her.
"How does that work anyway?" Badd asked, looking at Toriel from his spot next to Zenko.
"Oh? Well, it's quite simple actually. I manipulate the magic within my soul to speed up the healing process, and mend any wounds to the soul."
"Not how you're healing her, I meant your 'magic' in general." Badd grunted.
"Oh, I see. Well, monsters can use their energy that their body and soul are made of to do things like create attacks, heal, as well as a multitude of other things. Humans used to be able to do this as well, but it appears that they have lost touch with their souls over time."
"Huh, so you just call it magic, then? It doesn't sound like you're preforming miracles like magic is rumored to be."
Toriel giggled. "Oh no, THIS is real magic, preforming impossible feats are just that, miracles."
Badd was about to respond, but just then Zenko started to stir, attracting both of their attentions.
"Ungh, what happened? I remember Flowey attacking me, then just pain. Wait! Why do I feel fine? What happened?" Zenko, now fully awake, stood up, realizing that her wounds were in fact, gone! "Wha...? How?!" She yelled, before looking over at Badd, with a face that demanded an explanation.
Badd sweatdropped at her stern gaze.
"Uh well Zenko, after you lost consciousness, I started to fight that stupid weed. I had him on the ropes, he must have realized it, because he took you as a hostage! I didn't really have any options left at that point, so I had pretended to surrender, hoping that I could catch him off guard and save you. But, turns out that I didn't need to."
Badd was about to continue, but it was at that point that Zenko noticed Toriel.
"Um, big bro? Who is that?" She asked nervously.
"I was getting to that Zenko. As I was about to counterattack the weed, this lady came out of nowhere and incinerated the vine the weed was sending at me, before throwing another fireball at the weed himself, making him retreat. She ended up being the one who healed you too. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I don't think she wants to hurt us."
As Badd finished his story, Toriel decided to introduce herself to Zenko.
"Greetings, little one, my name is Toriel, caretaker of the ruins, I promise that I mean your brother and you no harm, I wish to help you, even."
Zenko, despite being attacked by someone she trusted just moments ago, decided to trust her. She sensed that Toriel was being truthful about her Intentions. Besides, if her big brother trusted her, that was really saying something, especially considering that she was a monster.
"Thank you for healing me, miss Toriel. I hope that my big brother didn't give you too much trouble."
"Hey! Zenko, what's that supposed to mean?" Badd pouted.
"Nothing, it's just that it must have taken a lot of effort on her part to get her to trust you. Especially with Toriel being a monster and all." Zenko snickered.
"I...fine. You're not wrong." He relented.
Toriel giggled at their banter.
"Well, if you two are ready, then I shall guide you through the catacombs." She started to stride forward, the siblings following close behind.
And, that's a wrap! Make sure to review! I can't stress enough how much criticism would help me out as a writer. I would also like to thank the person that gave my story another like and it's first follow! It's greatly appreciated that you are showing that you are enjoying my little tale. Well, enough of my rambling, see you in the next one!
Edited 3/15/20