The shine of the |Continue| lingered above her for a time.
Her purple eyes opening, meeting the 'wonderful view' that was the dirt, and withering flowers. A scratching in her mind, accompanied by irritation and self-reflection. The memory of Clara playing out within.
It came accompanied by a whisper, from a familiar voice. "Tsk, tsk, partner. I thought you'd do better at all this."
She instinctively replied. "It's hard. I...want to do the right thing."
The whisper, a memory perhaps, responded. "Well, if peace isn't an option. You know what you could do~"
That sensation fading with the girl letting out a dark little laugh. Pushing herself up and into a sitting position. Briefly glancing around, to find there was nobody there but her. A shiver running down her spine.
"So...that's what I get for trying to do the right thing?" Chara asked herself. "Why doesn't it feel surprising?"
She felt frustration at her death. It felt like deja vu, in the worst way. To suffer for trying to do the right thing. Her eyes darkened, at this sensation.
Admittedly, from a certain perspective, it was refreshing that her death was greatly exaggerated. Rubbing her sore head, the memory of Clara was lingering. Spreading, like an aftertaste that was a little too strong. It spread into her senses, into her active thought.
Did she...save Clara? Could she have? No. No, she knew how that story ended. The same as all the rest. Even if she couldn't remember them all properly, even if she didn't recall how it had all happened, she knew better. She was a perpetual failure, a bleak little burden that led people to death, that couldn't save anyone.
Not some lone children. Not monsterkind. Not even really herself.
She swallowed the bitter taste in her throat. Viewing that, if nothing else, at least she was no longer a phantom, a ghost or whatever. It hadn't been a pleasant experience. To share their pain, to get glimpses of their emotions. Now, it was just her.
Chara wondered how long she had been dead anyways? It must have been...awhile. She wondered if her family would even remember her? Briefly feeling a desire to laid down, and let herself die again. Spare them the trouble.
She ignored the desire, however, getting back to her feet. No, she couldn't do that. It wasn't like it would matter anyways. Knowing her luck, she would just end up back as some restless spirit. It was irritating, her mind turning to the encounter with the creature up ahead.
When she was coming face to face with impending death from it, she, admittedly, wasn't certain that it wasn't going to be the end. Her attempt to be peaceful with something so clearly set on her death was...reckless. Childish, and irritating. Shouldn't she have known better? Shouldn't she have fought back?
Her soul shined a bit before her, brought out by the distress she was feeling. The girl examining the purple shining thing, with black strands running through it like roots from some shadowy tree. Perseverance. She knew that to be the name of this soul, her soul. One she'd had when she was with Clara.
That knowledge of this soul, however only confused her. She was...certain she had a red soul, Determination when she was with Alex. And they were the human before Clara, weren't they? The lack of consistency in her memories was...distressing. But then, she had been dead, proper dead, for at least a little while. So...perhaps her mind was just playing tricks on her?
"I don't know." She muttered.
There were too many questions. Too many things she didn't have answers to. And so, she did her best to shove them into the back of her mind. Trying to focus on the things before her.
Trying to focus on the problem that blocked her way. The odd little cat-creature who was filled with severe murderous intent. The one that had torn her into a bloody heap. A shiver running down her spine from the phantom pains.
She hadn't wanted to hurt the strange...cat-dog, thing. Given that it originally seemed to be in some kind of distress. Trying to handle it like...well, like the others.
The realization, and the possibility that her desire for peace had led to the deaths of the other humans made her feel shockingly cold.
The cat creature had proven to be violent, and cruel enough to kill her. To try and steal her soul. Which generally, as best she could recall, was usually a pretty good reason to fight back. Had she...encouraged the others to be peaceful?
Her breaths became chilly, even despite the sweltering heat.
She hated that thought. She hated the possibility. Her hands rubbing over her eyes, and forehead. Growling some, she worked to shove it to the side, or use the sensation. Redirect it to anything else, anywhere else.
It took a moment, but she realized what she needed to do. The girl decided to take a moment to familiarize herself with the abilities her soul had available to her. Something she hadn't really done the first time. Hindsight was always her strong suit, for better or worst. And she wanted to be prepared this time.
While looking over these options, she also searched for a weapon, or anything to help her fight. She dug around through the area, and managed to find a stick that seemed...sturdy enough. Holding it, she imagined herself bashing the cat-thing to death. Fueled by hate, she replayed this scenario dozens of times.
She told herself to just imagine it was a game, and it would be fine. That she would give the creature a chance to walk away. An opportunity it hadn't provided her. She wondered why the desire to do so felt like...a lie?
With the weapon in hand, her full attention fell on the menu. It shined a purple glow, instead of the usual gold lined color her memory suggested it would be. Or, maybe that was in her imagination?
She ignored that question, taking a second to look over the spells she had somehow obtained. She only knew the purpose and function of one of them, or at least had some idea about it anyways. Familiarization was key, if she wanted to persevere beyond the threat.
|Phantom Hand| as it seemed, was some sort of yellow glowing palm...thing? It shot at bullets, and stopped them from reaching her. And also elected to get itself destroyed trying to protect her. She made note of these things. Though, the description was...a bit more information filled.
|Phantom Hand| - This spell conjures a phantom hand to assist the caster. It will adopt any known Soul-Power functions it has directly interacted with, or that the caster has available to them. It may then replicate these functions.
Chara didn't recall having come across any yellow glowing soul bullet thing before. She wagered this was part of whatever memories she was having a hard time recalling right now. She was sure it would come back to her in time, though.
Moving to the next spell, which she hadn't even gotten to use, she selected it for more information. A little subtext informing her it was a 'Pacify Spell.' She wagered this meant |SPARE| in some fashion, but didn't know for certain.
|Sway| - This spell permits the user to sway a foe, and end the fight. However two conditions apply; The opposing foe must be weakened first. The user must be more powerful in the world, than the target.
Chara wasn't...specifically certain what any of that meant. Wasn't someone stronger than their foe, if said foe had been weakened or damaged? She was fairly certain that was how it worked.
But then, it only said 'more powerful'. The girl wondered if this was referring to LV? If so, she absolutely wasn't gonna be able to use it to get past the strange cat-dog. Which was...a distressing thought.
She told herself she didn't want to kill this thing...but if she had no choice, if it didn't leave her alone she would. She questioned why she didn't feel bad about the prospect? Why she just felt so...hateful?
Chara reasoned it was just because the death was fresh in her mind. She was just...angry, justifiably so. She tried to bury the odd impulse regardless.
The child stepped towards the door once more. Tightly holding the stick in her hand. She made sure to recall the amounts of TP she needed to cast her spells. It seemed important after all.
She debated attempting to use the |Sway| spell on the creature ahead. But, somehow, she felt like she wasn't going to be able to heal at the Save Points. Meaning getting slashed up, or hurt...was probably going to stick. And she didn't like the feeling of bleeding.
Pushing open the ancient doors, she moved into the next room. She had trouble envisioning herself as a brave adventurer off to fight some angelic abomination, however. No, the phantom pains kept her sadly grounded.
She wondered if it was meant to hurt like this, even after she got back up from dying? Her attention falling on the strange creature, sitting on the box, in the center of the room. Waiting for her.
"You don't have scars. Usually it leaves them. But resurrection is a funny thing." Temmie remarked. "It's a neat power. I didn't even remember you, until a second ago. And then the taste came back to me." The creature closed its eyes. "Sweet, and sad. Like a tragedy. Tell me, 'Princess' should we go over the formalities, once more?"
Chara steeled her resolve. She wasn't sure what 'Temmie' was. But felt the creature acted a lot more like a human than a monster.
Sadistic, cruel, and intimidating for no other reason than to be more of both. It...repulsed her. In her mind, her imagination pieced together a response. The perfect response to something this depraved, at least, in her interpretation.
"My name is Chara Dreemurr. I am the adopted daughter of the Dreemurr family. The one my father called the future of the undergound. I have seen many formalities, experienced them countless times." She tilted her head. "So, the answer is no...not unless you can make Tem, worth my while." She smirked, the creatures brief excitement dropping to confusion. "Oh c'mon, haven't got-Tem any-Tem to say?"
"When you die, I'll pick you apart slower this time. Then, I'll drag your remains to that wretched bitch you call a mother, to morn again." The small creature glared. "I'm going to enjoy the taste of your blood in my mouth."
The girl felt her smile grow, at the mention of her mother. A twitch occurring, in response to the insult. It struck some cord, tugged at the dark impulse. Her eyes darkened, her soul tinting a shade bleaker.
"You know-" The girl laughed softly as the world flashed purple and black. "I did warn you."
|Chara - 20/20 HP - 0/100 TP|
Chara decided to attack.
She ran forward, and swung out with the stick. Catching the box, breaking it. The creature managing to dive off it, avoiding the attack.
"You're awfully smug, princess." Temmie noted. "Do you want to die that badly?"
The creature laughed viciously, and seemed to elongate an arm, growing out a big claw. Creating several glowing bullets, that fired out at Chara. Familiar with the pattern, she moved through them. Getting close enough for her soul to shine a couple times. Nearly getting hit by one in the process.
Recalling the next attack, she pulled back. Moving just far enough back that the swinging claw grazed by. Her soul sparking some from the action.
Chara decided to attack.
Moving after the failed swing. Charas eyes darkened some. Swinging the stick out like a bat, striking the creature. The force causing its health to fall well below half health. It seemed Temmie hadn't expected the hit, and growled, while wearing a furious expression.
"You think killing me will matter?" Temmie demanded. "No...little monarch...it will be as pointless as your resurrection."
The bullets formed, as both of Temmies arms grew into their nightmarish states. Both swinging out, grabbing the air this time. The phantom box appearing, being pushed in, forcing Chara to move forward. Expecting it, she weaved to the left, avoiding a few bullets. Before moving back to the side to avoid the rest. The creature roaring angrily. The attack ending, with the arms retracting, clearly that wasn't sustainable.
She glanced over her prompt for a moment.
|Chara - 20/20 HP - 30/100 TP|
Chara cast |Phantom Hand|
The phantom hand manifested beside her. Flickering, as yellow formed like a ring through the hole punched in it. The girl feeling focused.
"Oh I get it. Did that comment about mommy upset you?" Temmie asked, as the girl glared. "Don't worry, she's next."
Temmie motioned, as bullets formed all around her. They moved in, falling in a wave of sorts. The hand moving, letting out a yellow counter-blast. Swinging around her, incinerating these oncoming attacks.
A growl seeing the elongated claw of the monster swing out at her again. The girl however, didn't move, the claw having hooked in near the end. Clearly having expected her to dodge. The hand still at her side, both undamaged, as the claw raked past her. The girls soul shining more as a result.
A certain smug expression on the childs face. As the prompts shined. Moment of truth. The girl had formerly debated how to treat this enemy. But with the threat towards her mother...
Chara decided to strike.
The Phantom hand moving.
The creature was surprised to find the hand surge forward and grab it. Preventing any chance of dodging. An ink surging across the girls heart, her eyes becoming abyssal orbs, with shining purple iris's.
The motion was quick, but absolute. Bringing the stick down hard. Crushing against the Temmie. Health plummeting, reaching almost nothing. Only a minor restraint preventing it from being fatal.
"Heh, did I touch a nerve?" Temmie snickered. "As if they'd even remember you."
Hearing this, hate become all encompassing. The stick slamming again, and again. The attacking continuing, well past the point the creature had died. Not falling to dust, however. No, when the assault was done, and the hand released the creature, it fell to the ground with a thud.
The color returning to the world. She had won. Chara gained 10 XP. Gained 10G - Chara grew to LV 2.
With her enemy dead, the hate slowly began to recede. Clearing her mind of its influence. A final angry swing bringing the stick crashing against the corpse again. The girl panting, stepping back. Processing, feeling...confused.
The creature before her hadn't broken apart into dust. It just slouched, appearing to be lifeless. She carefully poked it with her stick, pushing it onto its back. The thing was...very dead.
Mangled in fact, by the viciousness of her attacks, leaving a vicus dark liquid oozing out across the floor. With the anger parted from her mind, she was left feeling...a little sickened by her actions, namely at the feeling that followed them.
She couldn't help but feel...thrilled. It was satisfying, to put down her murderer. It was a rush, that left her struggling with a little smile she was trying to suppress. Closing her eyes, she criticized herself. She wasn't meant to enjoy something like this this. But, she wasn't going to let it threaten Toriel. She refused to permit that.
"WoWZ, YuZ KEllEd mE Gud." A voice remarked.
Her eyes snapped open, the stick quickly aimed at the corpse. Her heart beginning to race, soul shining before her. The body was still unmoving. The sound had come from...she turned. There behind her, was...a Temmie.
"How?" Chara asked, hate building. "How!?"
"You've been dead a long time little princess." This Temmie remarked, snickering. "Some of us, a little less. But don't you worry about that." The creature smiled an innocent smile. "You seemed to enjoy that, killing me."
"How is it you, if you're here?" She asked.
"I'm here because we are legion. The Creatures in the Dark." The Temmie noted. "Like I said. Killing one is pointless. Amusing, but pointless." The girl glanced around, checking every shadow. "Relax, take a breather. That high you get from killing can be a doozy. Am I right?"
Chara huffed a bit at the creature. "I-I didn't enjoy killing you." She lied. "You didn't exactly leave me a choice."
"Of course you enjoyed it. C'mon princess, you can't lie to me." The creature smirked knowingly. "But don't feel bad. This world...it's kill or be killed. It's only natural." The Temmie told her. "But that's fine. I like your spirit, so, I'll tell you what-" The creature paced around. "This place, it's full of 'problematic' beings."
"What the hell does that mean?" The girl demanded, refusing to let her guard down.
It noted. "Easy. It means nobody will miss them if they all go missing. Nobody would notice~" It noted. "So, you liked how it felt to kill me...imagine how good it'd feel to kill them?"
"W-what?" The girl asked, shocked at the suggestion.
"Oh don't act shocked, Princess. I saw that pretty smile." The creature snickered. "That raw feeling. That extra hit."
The girl fidgeted, but stood her ground. The idea of killing random people just for that thrill was a sick one. She wasn't kind of person. She would never do that. Right?
Her mind briefly recalled the futility of her past pacifism. Of the deaths her desire for peace had caused. Of how weak, she had been. The hate ebbed. It...was insane wasn't it? To keep clawing for peace, when nobody seemed to care? The scratching was like screaming at this point.
Suddenly, her mind flashed with a memory of her father. The scratching became quieter. Of the day she was adopted into her family. The shadows began to part. Of the things he'd said to her. The hate was dragged back to the dark.
Her eyes opening, purple and bright once more.
"You...you're not wrong." Chara admitted. "It felt nice-" She smiled a disturbed smile. "to make someone else feel like I have." She twitched. "To make them hurt."
"Exactly-" The creature began. "just ima-"
"But..." The girl glared. "I only killed you, or...that one, because you didn't leave me any choice."
"Is that right?" The Temmie asked. "You could have 'let me go' though?
"You're remorseless." The girl stated. "Letting you go, meant other people being hurt."
"Heh, whatever brat. You'll come to understand what I'm saying before too long. I know you will." It paced over to a broken pipe. "You'd better get some nice equipment princess. Because our game doesn't end until I say it does." It growled. "Enjoy being an unaligned pathetic mess, in the meantime."
The creature rushed into the pipe pouring heat into the room. Leaving the girl on her own there, feeling a little dumb she hadn't seen the escape coming. She was mostly just...shocked it hadn't attacked again. But, also a little glad at the same time. The stick coming to rest, as she let out a breath.
She felt her hands shaking. That feeling, she didn't want to feel it. So cold, so...hateful. Her focus falling on the corpse of the first creature. Whatever they were, she could tell she had just made an enemy. And unlike herself, this one that wasn't exactly hesitant to kill.
The girl glanced to the staircase across from her in the room. Starting towards it. Moving past the broken corpse, and the shredded cardboard box. She reminded herself that some heroes killed. When they were left with no choice. This...this wasn't different.
Chara made a note to herself, a promise. Even if she was 'Unaligned' or whatever that meant...she knew what was right and wrong. If she could help it, she wouldn't hurt anyone. Her mind going to the strange spell. Or, perhaps, wouldn't kill anyone, if she could help it.
Stopping at the top of the staircase, projecting the menu once more. Moving to her spells to re-examine what she'd decided not to use. What she had been certain, she couldn't have used.
|Sway|
She was...stronger now, anyways. So, maybe it would work? The thought brought her a little bit of hope. She hoped she wouldn't fight anyone else. But she couldn't be certain. If push came to show, she resolved to try it, at least.
The girl stepping towards the door out.