There was a feeling like falling. Slipping away, and into nothing. Then, a flicker of something. The shattered pieces of the soul shining, pulling somewhere. Grasping at something that had been...forgotten.
The last few days had proved to be rather unexpected in a few ways. To begin, she was, well, undead again. Hostage to someone new, like the last two times.
Gloves check, bandana check. Chara watched the human, double checking themselves and their possessions. The red-haired youth turning to her, using sign language to ask about food. She had never learned that ability in her former life, yet she knew it now. Sharing the knowledge with her 'host' like a symbiotic phantom.
"You left it in the bag." Chara replied. "Which you left with Toriel."
A few little hand motions followed, alongside a frown. Her new compatriot inquiring if she knew about anywhere nearby that they could get more, or if they could go back, maybe? She did, or, she was aware of a place people went to get food before.
Assuming it was still around, or moreover, if they even got there. However, she was loath to send the human back to Toriel. It was unlikely her guardian would let them leave a second time. And, given this one had a family to get back to, that seemed a bad idea.
"The town that's up ahead is called Snowdinn." She commented. "Once we get there, I'm sure the fire guy will give you something. Just, make sure to keep some G on you, okay, Alex?"
Alex dug in their pocket, producing one of the G, a shiny gold coin. Giving a thumbs up, and getting one in return. The living child gave a little sigh, before wandering away from the trees, and out onto the path once more. Passing the save point, Chara had thankfully gotten them to save at.
Ahead of them was a road that forked in two directions. One proceeding onwards, and the other heading towards a river. A question was inquired, by Alex. Wondering if she could scout ahead, possibly?
"I can only go so far away from you." She told them knowingly. "But uh, tell you what, I'll keep a lookout. Make sure nothing sneaks behind you, deal?"
The child smiled warmly, referring to her as a 'Good Friend.'
"I'm not...anyone's friend." The ghost girl replied, floating beside them. "And I'm certainly not 'good' so..."
Alex frowned at this but didn't challenge her. Instead starting to jog forward with a general enthusiasm and bravery. Or, as she viewed it, foolishness, and carelessne.
A structure became visible ahead of them, made of wood, in a fashion that resembled a little house. Though, thankfully, she knew what it was. Not that, that was a good thing by any stretch of the imagination. The dark shirted child floating to the side of her companion.
"That's a guard station, or sentry station...anywho." She explained. "Means there's someone around, who may attack you."
The statement garnered a thank you from Alex, who didn't seem deterred in the slightest. Rushing directly for it, instead of, say, trying to get away from it more. The child sliding to a stop next to it. An action which earned a raised brow from the denizen of the location. Sitting inside, was an old looking wolf, with a battle axe at the side, and some rundown looking armor.
Alex waved some, the monster yawning tiredly in response.
"Hello little one." The wolf greeted.
Alex responded with a hello.
"Ahh, hmm, I'm quite rusty on my sign language." The Wolf responded, before attempting to say, 'is this understandable?' Though, it came out as something different. "I take it by that look, I messed it up a little."
Alex smiled some, responding that it was okay. Explaining that they could hear him speak.
"Very good." The wolf yawned some, before inquiring. "Most children wouldn't approach a sentry without cause...so, what can I help you with today?" Noting. "I'm meant to be on watch for humans, so I've not much time, if you're requiring it."
Chara gave Alex a stern look. "Do not-"
Alex motioned that they were a human with an idiotic enthusiasm.
"Alex!" Chara exclaimed in exasperation. "D-did you listen to nothing mom said?"
"Bold claim." The wolf squinted his eyes. "Hmm, you might be. I'd have to check my handbook." He wagered, adding. "But it's on the ground somewhere, and I'm resting." The old wolf resting on his arms, comfortable and content. "It's a little far, honestly. So, who's to say, and why aught I care?"
Chara recognized what was happening. The Greater Wolf was choosing to spare Alex. The sly old monster hiding a very knowing look in his eyes.
"Wonderful." She sighed. "Take the mercy and g-"
Alex offered to get the book for the wolf.
"What is wrong with you?" Chara demanded, the kid noting they wanted to be helpful. "Do not be helpful to the people who will murder you."
The wolf shrugged in confusion, and motioned. "Should be on the floor somewhere around the sentry station. If you're honestly set on this...path."
Alex gave a thumbs up and started looking. Much to the general dismay of the ghost girl. The process lasting awhile, before it was finally located. A bit damp from being under the snow for a while. Bringing it back over, it was set on the counter.
"You're an odd one, you know that?" The wolf said, glancing over the book.
"Okay, he's reading, let's go." Chara motioned.
"Hmm, you do look like a human." The wolf muttered.
"Like now." She demanded, as Alex frowned some, asking why?
"I don't quite understand your motivations, small human." The wolf said, recognizing Alex's origin. "Are you seeking conflict?"
Alex shook their head and noted that a lot of monsters were afraid of them. Assuring that there was nothing to fear, as they weren't dangerous.
"You really shouldn't advertise that." The wolf chuckled, then sighed. "You seem harmless, which is...unfortunate." Rising in the station, the wolf picked up the axe. "It'll take me a moment to get out...you may consider leaving."
Chara added. "That's a great idea. See, he's telling you, he's gonna attack you." Alex noted he seemed friendly. "Friendly, or not, he is going to kill you. Run away, like now."
Alex however, didn't. Instead taking a few steps back. The wolf leaving the sentry box. Closing the door, and then stepping out to be a couple feet away from the human. Frowning some, while scratching at his beard.
"Little one. You're either quite foolish and brave, or hopelessly naïve." The Greater Wolf sighed, giving the axe a flourish, remarking. "You really should have run away." The world flickering black and red. "My sincere apologies, that you didn't."
The following fight was...a bit chaotic. Involving a good bit of defending on the part of Alex. Who attempted to get the wolf to stop. While being unwilling to retreat, no matter what. A foolish decision, not that she paid a great deal of attention.
The thing that sealed the deal, in her eyes, was the moment Alex's orange soul flickered blue. The wolf using the soul power to force the human to slide, around the battlefield. Slamming down from a jump or getting tossed into the air now and then. Entirely unprepared for the attacks, with no idea how to counter them.
She had resigned to the fact that Alex was not surviving it. And sure enough. It wasn't long, before the axe cleaved through. Leaving warm blood steaming on snow. Her soul shining, echoing, red, as the wolf reached to take the orange one, floating above the body.
|LOAD|
Within a blink of an eye, Alex was upright once more. Gasping, and looking around bewildered. Turning focus to Chara, 'sitting' on a Tree branch.
"Told you." She noted.
Alex asked what happened.
"You died." She said, adding. "You're durable, but enough hits and that soul won't protect you anymore. Once that happens...you're just, dead."
Alex looked down the path and noted the wolf didn't seem like a bad guy.
"They need your soul." She noted. "Good, bad, doesn't matter, really."
Alex appeared to consider this for a moment, asking how she did what she just did.
"As long as your soul has power, what's left of mine does." She noted. "I don't know how like, it specifically works. But it doesn't matter." She gestured to the light shining before Alex. "Remember how I had you touch this and 'save' yeah?"
The kid replied that she said it was good luck.
"And this is what I meant." She commented. "But don't get cocky. Your soul has to remain strong, for me to do anything." She explained. "And even then...there are some limits."
Alex took note of the situation. Stating she she could revive them, if killed. However, that power shouldn't be relied on, as it didn't always work. Chara nodding in response. Alex replied that they wanted to try and not fight the wolf.
"Grand, then just run past him." She offered; Alex frowned. "Then you'll have to try and talk him down. I guess."
The kid asked for any helpful conversational topics.
"When we see him next, I'll...try and provide some, maybe." She shrugged.
Once more Alex thanked her for being a good friend.
"I'm no one's friend." She stated once more.
Alex responded there was nothing to be afraid of. If she was just afraid, that was.
Charas eyes turned dark. "I'm not afraid of anything. Just...move on, idiot."
The brave soul gave her a smile anyways and started off once more. She knew this one would die, just last the last. The phantom sighing, traveling alongside her temporary companion once more.