Asriel: There's so much to do, so much to see, so much to protect...
Chara: It takes quite a bit of effort to adjust to it, really.
Asgore: Regardless, the important thing is that we do our best and strive for a good outcome.
Gerson: Indeed. The bigger the trial, the bigger the payoff, most of the time. This is an adventurer attitude! Wa ha ha!~
Frisk:...I want some quiche.
Chapter Start!
"So, Faryn. About this midpoint between the Kingdoms that citizens seemingly connect in." Chara said while scratching the back of his neck. "Do you mind telling us something about it? So we can better brace ourselves?"
The younger group have made for the town checkpoint after separating from the others and making preparations. Well, they've made preparations before coming on this second expedition, but it was likely better to be safe than sorry.
"We may inform you, young Chara. Me and my beloved have been there several times ourselves." Rasha joins in, walking only several feet behind the kids with Ribras and Will in tow. Chars nodded, urging her to continue. "I will we blunt with you, young ones. While business there does tend to thrive, it is a rather savage place to be. We know, for we have been there several times."
"Several ominous, untrustworthy, and dark figures tend to come and go to/from other Kingdoms on Scelus." Ribras said. "Thieves, assassins, bounty hunters, pirates...they gather here to discuss, scheme...or if they're feeling particularly chaotic, simply attacking and robbing one another for fun. The town is not very monitored by outside authority, so several of these activities go on without any interference whatsoever."
"And you might not guess it first glance, but a majority of the thieves and assassins tend to come from Surripio. Pirates and bounty hunters are usually from Fortuna." Will sighed while scratching his ear.
"A couple of our more malevolent, cruel tricksters end up exiled, and conclude to going and staying there as well, completing the 'set'." Faryn added, lightly skipping along the path with her tail swaying. "Obviously that place isn't the nicest of places."
"And we're heading straight there...to protect it. I can only see this going so well." Chara sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose. "You know, there tends to be a serious problem when it comes to things like this. Entire locations that are more self-contained tend to be judged by who they exile. They're judged by their trash. And Fortuna and Surripio have thrown out a lot of trash..."
"Which leads up to Astus's heavy reluctance to be too involved with either of them..." Asriel mumbled.
"Even though we've thrown out our own trash...all our relationships is complicated and a bit stupid. No one wants to talk through their problems and just settle this stuff already, which just makes the complicated stuff MORE complicated." Faryn pouted. "I don't get what's so complex about it if there's a simple answer to be found. Dad isn't too keen on finding it though..."
"And the thing that changed his mind was Eloise risking herself to come to him directly. It may not be enough but it definitely got his attention."
"Pretty much." Faryn shrugged. "As bad as the town is, there are several silver linings to it all."
"There's silver linings?" Chara scoffed.
"As troubled as place is, they mostly leave the regular citizens alone. After all, they can't go killing them, for they need to have someone sell them goods and such, you know? Plus, their currency is also gold, and those same unsavory characters tend to spend a lot of it in-between visits."
"So there's no money problems, that's good to know. The problem seems to be just about everything else..." Frisk deduced. "And now it's under the threat of being destroyed by several remnants of Ratoveros' forces. They probably think that the town is completely beyond saving and want to wipe it out completely..."
"Sure, it's not the best of places but there's still plenty of innocent, good people who love there, either by choice or not. We can't allow them to die too. We'll just have to do our best and take down whoever tries to destroy the town." Faryn said decidedly. "...Chara, why are you always wearing makeup?"
"Makeup...what?" Chara blinked at the sudden subject change, then his cheeks darkened while sheepishly hiding his face in his poncho. "I'm NOT wearing makeup! These pink cheeks are natural, dammit!"
"Oohhh..." She then swiftly turns to Asriel. "Asriel, do your floppy ears ever slap against your face whenever you suddenly move too fast?"
"...It happens from time to time..." Asriel answered in embarrassment, subconsciously petting one of his ears.
"Oohhh..." Faryn immediately turns towards Frisk. "Frisk, why do you always keep your eyes mostly closed?"
"Habit. It doesn't really mess with my overall sight too much." Frisk answered easily. "Say, Faryn, your Dad is a giant fox monster with nine tails, while you only have one. What's with that?"
"Regular fox monsters usually start off with one tail. The more powerful ones that gain experience in both combat and/or knowledge will usually be promoted to more tails as time passes. My Dad's been around for a while, and while he's uptight, he is smart and strong. He earned his tails." Faryn hummed. "As for me, since I'm half-human, he said my growth is much faster. I'm likely to get nine tails much sooner than he did." Faryn paused. "...Who do you think abandoned that poor quiche, though?"
"No idea...it was so very lonely..."
"Can we stay focused and not go back to quiches...?" Chara groaned. "Faryn, what is this place even called? I forgot...to...ask."
He and Asriel were looking ahead to the town ahead of them. Frisk for one was surprised at how seemingly downtrodden it looked, though it was significantly better than what he was expecting. Several buildings weren't exactly run-down, but they were slightly filthy in some places, and even more within others. The roads themselves were also not the cleanest, dirt and grime plaguing several spots and trash placed in piles against corners, but it's not the worst they've ever seen. There were several bundles of trees in contained grassy patches that were surprisingly the most healthy things they could see at the moment. They must really appreciate the life they seem to give to an otherwise dreary backdrop, no matter how small.
As for the citizens themselves, a fair amount of them were passing each other by, though quite a few of them at a time would occasionally stop what they were doing and approach someone else who needed help. They didn't exactly look miserable, just really exhausted. Yet they were pushing on anyway, and doing their best to adjust to whatever situation comes their way. It was an exhausted hope, but not a dying one. That made for quite a difference, despite their state of living.
Though they also saw the occasional shady figure pass them by, briefly glaring at them for several moments before moving on. Frisk sighed at that, supposing not all of them would be particularly friendly...
"I'm sensing a moderate amount of malevolence in this place...but also a worn down hope. It's barely holding on...but it's also never letting go." Asriel said after taking a moment to visually adjust to the setting.
"Oh, to answer your question, Chara, this place has been named 'Mire Town'." Faryn suddenly points out.
"Mire? Wow. I wonder why it's called that..." Chara deadpanned. "So we have to keep this area from being destroyed, as it's the rest point of the three Kingdoms citizens meeting up, right?" Chara could now see why this town wasn't chosen to be the meeting place for the monarch despite connecting to all three of them, too many shady figures in one place. Unfortunate things could happen when important figures gather in a place like this. Ebott City, while technically located within the Fortuna Kingdom, is considered it's own territory, and is much more secure.
"That's right."
"We can't let anyone hurt these people...they have enough problems." Frisk shook his head.
"The general citizenship is pretty tight-knit. Not having many group parties kind of tight-knit...but they're willing to stand up for one another." Faryn nodded. "They aren't exactly weak...but if a remnant of an army were to assault them with the intent of complete purging...that becomes problematic."
"Right. All the more reason to do this and earn your father's favor." Asriel nodded. "Let's start by splitting up and-"
"Oh my goodness...what a strange turn of fate..." The group blinks as they slowly turn around, to see a familiar smiling kindly towards them with one visible green eye. It took a moment, but they definitely recognized her, especially regarding her fluffy ringed tail peaking from under her green skirt, somewhat matching her lime green cloak. "It has certainly been a while, your Highness. Over a year, to be exact."
"You're kidding..." Chara muttered with his eyes showing genuine surprise. They haven't seen this elder raccoon monster since Seloms Archipelago.
"Nikon?!" Asriel exclaimed with a bright smile, hopping up to her to hold her slightly wrinkled, yet gentle paws. "I don't even...what are you doing here?! It's good to see yo-" He stopped his excitement as his eyes widened in shock, seeing her condition. There was a nasty scar across the right side of her face, rendering her right eye possibly permanently closed. There was also a vicious scar from her shoulder to the center of her arm that left less fur to grow than on the test of her body. A chunk of her right ear was also missing. Despite this, she was smiling fondly towards Asriel. "...What happened to you...?" He quietly gasped.
"Quite a lot of things, Young Prince." Nikon nodded with a tired sigh. "We should speak over at the inn. There aren't too many travelers resting there right now, so it should be fairly quiet."
"We're going over to the inn already?" Faryn tilted her head while scratching her fluffier ears. "Hnn...I don't really get it, but this seems pretty important for you boys, so I guess I'll stick around and hear what you'll have to say." She blinked while rocking back and forth. "...I wonder if they serve quiche..."
"Or maybe some Sea Tea...?" Frisk pondered.
"What is the matter with you two...?" Chara shook his head. "Anyway, let's just go. I'm kind of interested in Nikon's story too."
With that decided, the group would soon make their way towards the inn, pushing their way inside. The inn had up to twenty rooms inside it, ten on both floors. It wasn't as big as they were expecting, but given that it's a rest stop for travelers between kingdoms-which likely has it's own set of difficulties-it was still much better than they thought. Especially with the seeming friendly service given by the workers, who would do what they could to make their visitor's day better.
They had proved this by serving them after Asriel handed them a generous bag of gold. This, they were given their chosen snacks and drinks to relax with while listening to a story. It helped that Asriel warmed the place by slightly intensifying the flames of the fireplace.
Nikon sighed once she was served some warm herbal tea.
"Much has happened ever since you've helped me and my tribe. Many of the weaker cabals did indeed leave us be when they hear of your influence. It has been very peaceful for a while." She smiled calmly. "And during the entire time...we've managed to rehabilitate dear Augustine."
"Really?" Frisk said, very surprised, yet also very glad.
"Indeed. It was not an easy affair...but we've managed to reform her, and she herself. She has become a much better, more understanding person. She knew what she did was wrong, yet felt trapped into doing it all for so long. We helped her regain her compassion for others, and she was making quite a recovery. Everything was going well." She soon sighed, shaking her head. "...Unfortunately, at least five months afterwards...disaster found us."
"What happened...?" Asriel asked quietly.
Nikon's green eye saddened greatly, as she gently looked towards the boys. "...It was entirely unexpected...one moment, we were having a peaceful night...then the next moment, the earth shook, darkness surrounded us...then...death." She clenched her cup, recalling it. "Rocks crashed down on us, ground rose up to pierce through others splitting apart to engulf anyone unfortunate enough to fall in. Dust graced the wind, while blood splattered into the soil...my precious children were being killed right before my eyes...and as you could see by my face...I failed to protect them. As did Augustine. The poor woman indeed tried her very best...but it wasn't enough. At the very least, most of my tribe survived, albeit with heavy hearts and hurt souls from the loss of their loved ones. Augustine's cabal...was slaughtered completely. No one was left alive but her." She closed her eyes. "When they decided that enough damage was done...the entire archipelago was sunk into the ocean, in pieces, never to rise again..."
Cold silence met the group as they looked at their laps. For the three among them that were there; Asriel was devastated, Frisk was heartbroken, and Chara was furious.
All that hard fighting they put into saving Nikon and her tribe from Augustine's clutches...then someone else comes in and nearly wipes them out, going as far as destroying the islands as well, leaving them without a home. And none of them were made aware of this, having been occupied with their constant battles with Ratoveros' forces. He must have also intercepted any news that might have related to that incident as well.
The victory way back then suddenly felt very hollow.
"...How did you escape? By your description of these events, you seemed quite certain that you would all die."
"As did I. Even now, I still have difficulty understanding how we survived." Nikon said truthfully. "I looked up, seemingly gazing at what seems to be my final full moon...then strangely, the moon began to glow and shine...bright rays coming down upon us...the very next moment, we were all safe, far away from the archipelago, wondering where we were and what happened." Nikon shook her head. "A passerby told us we were in this checkpoint town called 'Mire Town'. I was unsure what to think, only glad that most of my children managed to survive. Augustine, however...she needed very urgent healing due to her grievous injuries."
"Such as...?"
"I...I would rather not say, not until she says it's alright. Simply put, I was surprised, yet glad that she survived." Nikon smiled sadly. "Though once she recuperated enough, she thanked me and the others for everything, apologized for us, and left for Surripio. I haven't seen her ever since...though she does send care packages from time to time, solely for me and my tribe. Poor dear must be far too guilt-ridden to directly face us right now..."
"How awful..." Frisk shook his head. "Do...do you have any idea who or what caused this?"
"All that I am completely sure of is that they were from the Potestas continent." Nikon closed her eye. "I am also sure that our home is completely destroyed...we cannot go back..."
"...Was what happened such a bad thing, though?" The voice condescendingly rang out. Asriel could hear where it came from, somewhere from the left. Sure enough, Chara could see a dark-skinned human with a black t-shirt, beige cargo pants, and black shades.
"...What is that supposed to mean?" Frisk said quietly.
"Seloms Archipelago...an insignificant group of islands that weren't really contributing to anything. Is it that much of a loss for it to be wiped out, sunk into the ocean in pieces?"
"...I don't think I like what you're insinuating." Asriel replied calmly, his eyes being overshadowed. Knowing him so well and how much he's grown, Chara wasn't fooled; he could see the steam beginning to emit from his paws and from the counter he placed them on.
"I don't see why you're feeling so sorry for them. You're a Prince, and you have much more things to worry about than a destroyed archipelago that no one is going to remember, which will sully your family name even more."
Asriel clenched his fists and bared his fangs. This man was seriously pushing his luck. The more he kept going, the more Asriel was losing compunctions towards knocking him ou-
"Did your mother hit you when you were a child?" Faryn suddenly asked offhandedly.
The question was so out-there that Asriel cooled down, and the man lost his smirk, replaced with confusion. "What?"
"I'm asking did your mother hit you when you were a child. You didn't hear me the first time?" Faryn tilted her head. "You have that kind of smirk a mom would want to smack off of you."
"What's that got to do with-"
"Oh definitely. No mother would have the patience to deal with a smug-ass smirk like that." Will chuckled.
Frisk pointed at the man with a gasp. "I know! We'll call you 'Smirkman'!"
"That's not my name..."
"Don't care. You're Smirkman now." Chara deadpanned.
"Smirkman. The man with a smirk so disgustingly, unbearably slimey that his mother probably smacked it off of him every time he felt good for doing something naughty." Will chuckled. Ribras and Rasha chuckled as well, and even Nikon couldn't help but giggle. Not the nicest of humors, but humorous it was.
The man now dubbed 'Smirkman' twitched slightly in annoyance.
"You know about the Seloms Archipelago incident. You and whoever you work with and for have something to do with it. Right?" Faryn continued.
Smirkman paused, then sighed as he leaned back, his smirk returning. "That Archipelago was too complacent, too peaceful. Too satisfied with their lives. I can't put it as eloquently as my higher superiors can, but here it is: They had no drive to improve, so eventually something will eradicate them because they weren't strong enough to repel it." He rubbed his chin. "It should make sense, right? Life is unpredictable. Ya never know when a disaster/conflict comes your way and you're just not strong enough to repel it, because you didn't have the drive to gain that strength. So wouldn't your subsequent eradication be your own fault? I mean, Augustine certainly got hit by it. Cost her her all her men, and herself near fatal injuries. Which she brought entirely on herself."
"You are a fiend...YOU were the one who sent the danger our way! "Nikon snarled, her fur bristling.
"Maybe I was. Doesn't mean I'm wrong. You were too comfortable, too peaceful. Being weak is nothing to be ashamed of. Staying weak, however...that ends up being a sin once the complacency rears it's ugly head to rob you of your victory, and your loved ones. Ratoveros heavily believed in that philosophy." Smirkman chuckled. "And now such a tragedy will be repeated on this town for the same thing. You're just not a lucky raccoon monster are ya-"
"You wanna keep running your mouth about complacency?" Chara suddenly asked, his eyes hidden by his hair. "Because to me, you seem to be the kind of asshole who hides behind your much stronger seniors when you know they'll protect you, which you think somehow gives you the right to talk down to others. You're all talk and no substance. Easily discredited."
Smirkman glared, his fists tightened. "Alright, that's i-"
He stopped.
The moment he stepped forward, Chara was already in front of him, his poncho flowing slightly. The terror settled in when he saw his rather unsettling expression. "Dawww, where did that smug smirk go, Smirkman?~ =)"
One moment, he was suddenly surrounded by a torrent of darkness. The next moment, he was outside, and ruthlessly slammed into the ground, splintering multiple cracks away from him. The impact knocked Smirkman out, with blood flowing from his mouth. Chara sighed while stepping back and cracking his neck.
"I haven't pulled that face in a long time...I should do so more often...for purposes." He grumbled while scratching his head.
"Well...you at least had some decency to not do that within the inn..." Asriel rubbed his neck while meeting him outside, with the others in tow. "Smirkman is quite the unpleasant individual..."
"His implications are also concerning. Not only do his superiors believe in this philosophy and are ruthless in enforcing it on others as they see fit, but the same thing that happened to Seloms Archipelago might happen again to this town. Albeit on a smaller scale, but still something we can't allow to happen." Ribras sighed. "What a mess..."
"Yeah. A mess we willingly put ourselves in." Chara sighed while pushing some hair away from his eyes.
"Well...the good news is, we have a bit more important information to relay to the others if needed." Frisk nodded, though his expression soon turned into a reluctant frown. "The bad news..."
He didn't need to say it. They could each sense the waves coming. It wouldn't be long now before they arrived. That was Smirkman's real purpose. He wasn't a meaningful threat in any way. He was just the messenger specifically for them, telling them that interfering was useless, and that they should just stay out of the way. Chara just knocked him out without a care in the world.
That was their answer.
"Ribras, Rasha. If you can, work together and use your lava magic to forge cooled, solidified lava walls a few feet away from the borders of the town; Will shall send notices out with his illusions to get everyone out of the way, and safely inside buildings; Chara and I shall defend from one side of the town, Faryn and Frisk in the other." Asriel said to each of them. "Will, you'll help Ribras and Rasha deal with any that might manage to get past us." Asriel remembered that Mire Town was a midpoint that leads to three different Kingdom, each with their own path. They would surely need someone to help guard each of them.
"Allow me to join as well, young Prince." Nikon said, lightly moving up and patting his shoulder. "While I abhor Smirkman's callous disregard for the suffering that resulted from it...I have grown in strength. My desire to protect my tribe has allowed me to dig into my deeper potential...allow me to use it to assist you all."
"...Okay. In that case, help out Frisk and Faryn however you can." Asriel nodded quietly. He was rather reluctant to allow Nikon to fight after hearing the strife she's endured, and almost questioned her involvement outright, but the strong glint in her eye told him that she could back up her words if given the chance. "Alright everyone, let's go!"
It was a strange feeling. They split up once, then they split up again, and now they're splitting up once more. Strange indeed, but not something they're unwilling to do. Sure, it may not be the best place around, but it still had citizens from all three Kingdoms of Scelus, where they were allowed to escape the troubles of their respective Kingdoms drama for a while. Should it be destroyed...
No, that wasn't allowed to happen. It won't.
This conviction stayed with Asriel as he and Chara were on one side of the town, readying themselves for the inevitable. "It's strange how devoted they are to this. Even with their leader fone, they're still following his wishes." Asriel sighed. "Shows how much they believed in Ratoveros, even though he was ruthless."
"That's probably why they backed him in the first place. He was willing to do what they couldn't will themselves to on their own..." Chara muttered while staring straight ahead. His eyes narrowed as he sees multiple figures in the distance. "Az..."
"Yeah. I see them." Asriel nodded, as he also sensed their gathered magic. What they could see ahead of them were monsters and mages alike. Though the most noticeable one was a huge, black-furred monster leading the masses, with razor sharp tusks, grey plated armor with the Delta Rune crossed out on it's breastplate, and a flowing dark blue cape around his shoulders. Chara took note of one more curious-inducing detail.
"Azzy..."
"Yes, Chara?"
"...That's a mammoth monster. A mammoth."
"I see that, Chara. He feels strong." Asriel narrowed his eyes on crimson bold words across the breastplate of the mammoth's armor. "And apparently his name is 'Elbio'."
"Elbio...nice name." Chara muttered. The mammoth monster huffed, swinging his arm out as the mages and monsters suddenly moved towards them. "Guess he's not too interested in talking..."
"Which means he's not very reasonable..." Asriel concluded solemnly. The mammoth was glaring at Asriel with immensely venomous hatred. "He must have been a comrade of Ratoveros...I don't think he appreciates that Undyne killed him..."
"Yup."
"He probably wants to kill me to get back at her...and because I'm a Dreemurr."
"Most likely."
Asriel narrowed his eyes as flames licked at his paws. "No choice then, we'll have to stop them all."
Chara's crimson eyes glowed briefly as black flames coated his arm. "I agree."
Meanwhile, on the other side, Frisk, Faryn, and Nikon were preparing themselves. Out of all of them, Frisk was the most unsure, lightly touching his Golden Locket while thinking about how he had to fight for the safety of a town he barely knows. Smirkman was somewhat right about one thing, it was crazy of the gang to come to the aid of people they don't even know, and possibly have little to no investment in.
Yet they were all doing so anyway. Frisk wouldn't feel right about himself if he didn't.
"You've grown quite a bit, Frisk." Nikon said sweetly to him, though her smile was somewhat sad. "How...how is your scar?"
"It itches from time to time...other than that I barely notice." Frisk answered honestly. "What about yours...?"
"Seeing with one eye is rather difficult. I imagine that Warrior Undyne took quite some time to adjust to it." Nikon nodded. "But rest assured, despite my scars, I have gotten stronger from the experience. However, I shall not take pride in the fact that it took several of my children dying to make me seek improvement. That...'Smirkman' is callous for seeing it that way."
"Yeah, he was kind of a jerk." Faryn pouted. "I mean, sure he made some good points, but he was just so smug about it that the message somewhat falls flat." She hummed, tipping back and forth. "...Say, do you want some more quiche after all this is over? Cheer-up quiche?"
"I guess that would be alright." Frisk nodded. "Maybe in exchange, I can introduce you to my Mom's Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie." Frisk chuckled. "Sometimes we shorten the name to 'ButtsPie.'"
"Pfft! ButtsPie? Who would wanna eat a pie made from butts?!" The princess giggled, her fox tail waving with amused glee, and Frisk joined in as well. Nikon had a few chuckles too. "I mean, what would that even taste-OOF!" She was cut off by something invisible blasting her in her head, knocking her down and rolling across the ground, until she stopped facedown, her tail dropping over her legs.
"Faryn?!" Frisk gasped, his soul swiftly flashing green as a shield surrounds himself and Nikon, defending them from a second blast. Nikon narrowed her eye as she saw who had attacked them, which was the attackers they sensed from earlier. "I didn't see anything...except a distortion in the air..."
"It's Wind Magic, Frisk...appears there's more users of it than that dragon,Tempest..." Nikon narrowed her eye. "And yet...that isn't all, is it...?"
"What a perceptive eye, considering you only have one." They could see one pale-skinned elderly man with gray ahead of them, appearing before them in the same cloaks as the others, except his was a distinct darkened orange. The Delta Rune symbol on the back was crossed out. "I hope you don't mind, but we have a town to destroy. It's a late desire of our deceased leader that we intend to fill. He hoped it would cause quite the ruckus...he was a rather spiteful monster, you see."
"Ratoveros..." Frisk said quietly.
"Spite is no justification for the harm he caused, helped cause, and would have caused. It's no justification at all." Nikon narrowed her eye. "You will not harm Mire Town. Not as long as we are here."
The elder sighed, shaking his head. Frisk could see his name along his cloak. 'Silas'. "Don't make this more difficult than it needs to be. Trying to stop us will bring no benefit to you. Are you so cruel as to deny us the chance to fulfill our leader's final wishes?"
"His wishes emerge from spiteful destruction and a false sense of superiority. Wishes born from a mindset like that are not meant to be granted!"
"I'd like to bet you wish a certain disaster was averted...that didn't come true either, did it?"
Nikon flinched slightly, and Frisk's dislike for these people seemed to grow. How could they-
WHOOSH!
Three purple fireballs cut off his thoughts, and smashed into two mages and one monster, knocking the latter out due to their guard being down. Frisk was surprised as he and Nikon looked towards the source of the fireballs. They were greeted with a silhouette in the clearing smoke.
"Hey...old man..." Faryn slowly rose as three glowing purple fireballs surrounded her form. She casually brushed herself off, her tail swaying calmly. "That's some loyalty towards your deceased leader. Pushes you enough to attack a somewhat innocent town...pushes you to attack children, pushes you to try to make a sweet old lady cry...all to continue a fight you already lost."
"What is your point, Astus Princess...?"
"Let me answer that question with a few of my own." Faryn said with a somewhat innocent smile. "Everything you were willing to do in the past, everything you're willing to do now...and everything you might be willing to do in the future...it all involves having a lot of conviction, hm?" She tilted her head. "And with that conviction, you've just tried to kill me, a princess, without hesitation, correct?" She straightened her head again. "And you can't easily discard conviction such as that, can you?"
Frisk noticed that with each question, Faryn's threatening intent continued to grow, intimidating the mages and monsters behind the elder. And despite that...her happy expression didn't change. Only her smile, which grew more and more fox-like and mischievous, complete with cute sharp fangs, changed. Her green eyes were glowing, as the souls of Kindness and Perseverance pulsed with power within her chest. The purple fireballs grew larger...and the plant life around her started glowing green, and seemed to be beckoned to her voice.
"Which brings me to this conclusion: If I were to retaliate with the same amount of conviction for my own goals...maybe even a touch or so greater than yours...you can't complain about what happens to you afterwards...right?~"
Frisk knew then and there, that there might be more to Faryn than meets the eye.
"Plant Magic...hm. So that is the method..." Asgore hummed while stroking his beard. He has been traveling with his own group in an entirely different direction, heading towards grassy plains that were a bit clearer than most, and seems quite healthier than the plants and green life seen in Fortuna. He was just told why, and he seemed a bit envious. "Something like that does seem to be suitable for farming. Or simple gardening. It would seem that users of Plant Magic have natural green thumbs. Interesting." He smiled with a shake of his head. "An interesting concept, but it doesn't really seem like something I can personally align with. I'd rather do my gardening paw by paw, without the assistance of magic. Feels more personal and enjoyable to me that way." Though he did suspect that Flowey might like it here...
"That is understandable. Of course users of Plant Magic are of great assistance, as well as regular farmers. But the richness of this soil, it's fertility, and it's enchantment, aren't to be found anywhere else in the world. Whatever we grow here is to be of highly valuable and very effective crops of many varieties." Tamotsu explained.
"So that is why Surripio is willing to trade with you. And it seems we have our triangle." Gerson rubbed his chin. "Surripio and Astus have both supply and demand from each other, while Fortuna's paying for the both of them to do business while receiving almost nothing in return. But since no one wanted to seriously renegotiate, no one was brave enough to come forth with a better, improved arrangement."
"This arrangement is an imbalanced one, and it almost weighs entirely in Surripio's favor." Shamir deduced with narrowed eyes. "This has to be stopped as soon as possible. We'll trust that the others are making progress. We'll simply have to do what we can on our end."
"That is right. I want this to end, and I'm more than willing to put in some personal work to make it happen, no matter the risk to myself." Eloise said strongly. Parvos could only look on in cleverly disguised yet still obvious concern.
Gerson turned towards Tamotsu. "Not to disrespect, but I'm simply wishing to confirm something: You're a fox monster. Which means you have access to fox-fire magic."
"Indeed."
"And Fox-Fire magic allows you to tap into the elements of fire, lightning, and light. Is that correct as well?"
"Indeed. And I do possess those three elements within my Fox-Fire. However, the same does not go for my daughter, who only manages fire and lightning, not too unlike Prince Asriel." Tamotsu hummed. "The element that replaces light for her...is Plant Magic."
"She has Plant Magic as well...?"
"She...inherited it from her mother." Tamotsu sighed sadly. Gerson and Asgore immediately understood the possible implication, but decided against prying too deeply without his consent. He would give out the full story in his terms if he wanted to, not on theirs. He seemed grateful for this, nodding. "And thanks to her being born with a soul of Perseverance, she has thought of several creative ways to expand upon a seemingly weak magic, both offensively, defensively, and supportively. Nature can be cruel and merciless...but it can also be kind and nurturing."
Asgore thought of Flowey again. Plant Magic was the flower's forte, and he was very ruthless with it if Frisk and Asriel's memories were to be trusted, and he experienced it himself when training with the flower. Perhaps Faryn was a tad gentler, kinder with it, while still being a capable fighter. He'd take Tamotsu's word for it.
"Tamotsu...how is your relationship with your daughter?"
"...It is both simple, yet complex." Tamotsu hummed. "As I said, I did not expect to fall in love with a human, much less have a child with her. So when I was eventually left alone with five-year old Faryn...it was difficult. We love each other greatly, but most of the time we...aren't on the same wavelength. "I can never mentally keep up with her. She's a very curious girl. She likes asking questions, whether they're relevant or not, and she sometimes alternates between them at unexpected intervals; she could be questioning the state of the whole Kingdom one moment, then asking if I have enough ingredients for quiche several seconds after. She could ask how the farms are coming along, then ask why certain people betray their friends. Most of the time I'm more than happy to comply...but you can perhaps imagine my immense mental exhaustion."
"Sounds like she can be quite the troublemaker." Gerson hummed.
"I don't want to get started on that..." Tamotsu shivered. Many naps have been hopelessly lost once Faryn gets particularly mischievous. "But regardless of her own continuous and sometimes insensitive curiosity, she truly is a kind and supportive girl. It takes some time and dedication for her to focus, but you'll be able to tell when she does. Just as well, with me training her, she has grown quite strong."
"I bet she has."
"In due time, considering her growth is faster as a half-human fox monster, she's likely to surpass me sooner than many would expect. I'm not concerned about that though. I am concerned by her lack of experience. Experience with most of the outside world. She won't be able to do that...unless I let her venture out on her own."
"Something you seem very reluctant to do willingly." Asgore hummed. And due to the clues Tamotsu left behind-as well as his own personal experience-Tamotsu was more than justified in feeling the way he does.
"VERY reluctant indeed...but I am not so stubborn a fool to believe I can keep her home indefinitely. Either I allow her to venture, or she'll let herself out. I would much rather see her off myself than find a vague note on my bed signifying her farewell." Tamotsu shook his head. "I suppose...this is her 'trial', of sorts. A test of her independence. It will give me time to think on it, to accept it...which will lead to vocally giving her my blessing to leave and then actually letting it happen...it will all be very difficult for me, hence my hesitation."
"I understand, truly." Asgore hummed. He truly did, speaking from experience with Toriel. She never wanted her children to leave, and for genuinely good reason, given what they've both been through. She wanted to keep them under her care so she wouldn't let anything happen to them. But that would indirectly-not on purpose of course-include the good things in life just as much as the bad. Helping her realize that and letting it go, was one of the bigger mental obstacles that Frisk had to help her overcome. The mindset still crops up from time to time, but she has a much better handle on it than she ever did before. Trust was a really big part of it.
Tamotsu wanted to trust his daughter, to believe in her her ability to protect herself against a hostile world without his constant supervision. The same belief Asgore holds for his sons.
"Let's turn to another subject, shall we? One I'm rather curious about." Gerson coughed slightly, getting their attention. "Parvos. You've worked for and close to Ratoveros the longest, since he was his your father and all. Do you have any idea as to who his closest lieutenants might be? It would be quite helpful if you could inform us. It further helps with getting ready for them."
"Hm...I dunno. I wouldn't want to ruin the surpri-hooowowow!" Parvos began to quip, only for Eloise to harshly pinch his ear and put his joke to a very swift end. "Alright alright!" Eloise huffed and let go, with Parvos whimpering as he was nursing his bruised ear. "...Basically there are three of them, and they're all proficient in a specific magic, which they would use to cause as much destruction as possible in other locations while Pops was dealing with Ebott resistance."
"Those specified magics would be would be Mountain Magic, Forest Magic, and Meadow Magic. They'll use elements from those types of environments. They're all incredibly powerful." Shamir nodded. "Their names are Elbio, Silas, and Zola. Elbio is the most powerful, Silas is the most experienced, and Zola is the creative one. Subduing them will not be an easy feat."
"But if we do manage it, all the territories Ratoveros controlled will be freed from his grasp for good." Eloise nodded. "It is a gamble indeed...but we shall prevail. I believe in it."
No one disagreed. Not at all. Well, Parvos was a bit difficult about it as usual, but they didn't let that bother them too had their objective, and the dedication to see that it's completed in full. Now all they had to do was find out where-
"Zola is nearby." Parvos said quickly. "I sense her...she knows we're here...and she's-"
"Attacking us right now!" Shamir shouted.
Asgore reacted almost immediately. His paw was coated in flames as he turned around and punched at the offending attack coming their way. The attack connected with a fist as well, almost entirely made of grass. It surprisingly didn't burn instantly upon contact, though it did relent and pull back, eventually vanishing in a swirl of grass.
"The grass just rose up and tried to punch me..." Asgore blinked, more in surprise than actual disbelief.
"Her magic is Meadow, Asgore. And we're in a very big one. Essentially, we're on her battlefield, which she can shape and shift to best suit her." Eloise said strongly while looking around. She hissed once she turned towards the others. "I can't sense her magic at all, her presence is very well hidden...recalling my battlefield analogy..."
"And she'll probably use her Meadow Magic to disrupt any attempt at tracking her via smell and hearing with different fragrances and sounds...she's forcing us to search blindly." Tamotsu shook his head while pawing his nose. He did just try, and there were just too many contrasting odors for any of them to be dependable.
Eloise nodded. If they were being forced to search blindly, they'll simple do so and hope they get lucky. And that was something she could provide. She gently clasped her paws together and whispered a prayer, with her eyes glowing golden. A brief image of a large, nurturing cat of shining gold surrounded the ground, meowing and purring softly, briefly licking each of their cheeks, before it shrunk and hopped onto Eloise's shoulder. "Okay, I provided you all with five times good luck. It should help you discover something important even if you don't mean to."
"Very well. Shamir, Eloise, and Parvos, you go one way.. The rest of us will take another, then spread out a bit from there. Eventually we'll find her, even if it means playing by her game." Tamotsu declared as he began moving onwards in a specific area, with Asgore and Gerson following him, and Eloise sticking to Shamir and her nephew.
"I have to say, aunt. You're going quite a few miles for this lot." Parvos points out while scratching his head with a sigh. "I have to say, this is very new coming from you."
"Well, these people shouldn't have made me desperate. Now I'm willing to try anything." Eloise declared with narrowed eyes and steeled resolve.
"That's a dangerous resolve to have, Auntie..." Parvos muttered.
"You seem really worried about Lady Eloise, Parvos. I know she's your Aunt, but you seem especially bothered by her accompanying us in a possible battle. I rarely see you so distressed."
"Put a sock in it, Shamir. I ain't that worried." The feline waved off. "It's just that...Aunt ain't really used to field work...I'm not sure how far she's willing to go or how much she's willing to do. She's a good cat and all...but she doesn't have Mum's field experience."
"Come now, Parvos. I'm not so inexperienced at this to not ask for help when I need it from you. Especially when one of my helpers is my dear nephew." Eloise sighed quietly while scratching her ear. "Have a bit of faith in me, Parvos. Just like how I have much faith in you."
"...Why do ya gotta things say that...?" Parvos pouted before looking away in a huff. "It ain't even that I'm that spec-" Parvos stopped as Eloise stopped, having walked right in front of a spike jutting upwards from the ground. A spike made out of hardened mud. Parvos narrowed his eyes as he gripped his daggers. Mud. He shifted his head to the side and slashed at hardened sand, slashing it in half. Sand. Shamir acted neck, his swords buzzing with lighting as he swiftly sliced something lengthwise that came at them, a rock boulder. The two halves harmlessly passed them as Parvos and Shamir eased closer to Eloise. Rock. Well, would you look at that. They're cousins. He mentally quipped.
He knew that this wouldn't be fun.
Meanwhile, Tamotsu, Asgore, and Gerson were searching around the plains, trying to get a handle on where the woman mage known as 'Zola' was. She knew where they were at all times due to how in-tune she was with her environment. Which means they wouldn't be able to find her with anything but chance. Unless she choose to strike first, just to see what would happen.
His answer came from a large stone boulder suddenly smashing into his face, knocking him over. He wondered if Elvira accidentally left a bit of bad luck with them, because he unknowingly jinxed it.
Gerson was about to come to his aid, but he was cut off by a blast of wind just barely missing him. He adjusted his hat and quickly looked around. "Asgore, look alive! The lass is around here somewhere, somewhere close!"
Asgore kept his eyes narrowed. Rational thought was briefly tossed aside as he swiftly turned and once again, with a fist of flames, punched whatever was poised to attack him. He was surprised to not be attacking grass this time, but water. The water and flames canceled one another out, leaving steam behind. He didn't relent his guard, gripping his trident and staying focused.
"Zola! If you are out there, please cease this at once! You seem to be far more reasonable than your superior has ever been. We can resolve this in another, less chaotic fashion, can we not?!"
There was brief silence for a while. Moments afterwards, it was replaced by an amused, feminine laugh.
"Sorry, Dreamy Dreemurr! A bit of a 'no-surrender' policy that we're following right now." Zola recalled. He could see her from afar, standing on a tower of grass...her magic really did have quite the use with her creative streak. She wore a green blouse with a blue pencil skirt, and a black cloak with a crossed out Delta Rune on the back. Her hair was yello like his own, and her eyes were blue. Still...THAT was the mage tower? Or was it a feint the whole time...? "We've put far too much time and energy into Ratoveros' goals. We might as well keep going, all the way in."
"It doesn't have to be this way. We can still-" Asgore paused. "...Hold on a second. Are your two comrades busy with trying to destroy the connecting town...?" That was definitely a cause for worry, as they've sent the children there. Asgore shook his head. He can't worry about that right now, they'll be fine. He had to worry about helping defeat Zola, first.
"You catch on quick! Though I will have to inform you that it DOES have to be this way. So long as you are a Dreemurr, you shall always be opposed, no matter how peacefully you approach!" She spread her hands. "Now let's see: We have a wind golem, an earth golem, a water golem, and a grass golem. Seems like quite the set to me!~"
"You want us to play with this little set of yours? Very well!" Tamotsu grunted as his tails were suddenly ignited with blue flames, and he tosses a large fireball towards the grass golem, knocking it down and leaving it to burn. The large fox stood back on his feet, with Gerson quickly catching his breath and joining in as well.
Asgore could only sigh. It seems that she was determined to follow this through to the end, for her leader, despite how bad he was. And this mentality seems to have extended to her comrades to a very passionate degree. Was that true loyalty working? Was it that strong? Either way, Asgore was certain of two things:
He really didn't want to fight, but subduing them was the only way to keep Ratoveros' influence from doing any more severe damage.
So with a deep breath-praying for his sons, friends, and family's safety-Asgore prepared to fight.
And this, the fighting shall be the next chapter. Quite a bit of things to get through, but I'd say that Team Asgore's half of the arc may clock in at chapter 70. After which, we can rewind a bit then progress differently to see Team Toriel's side of things.
Sounds about right? Yeah? No? Wha? Bah. I'm sure I can better explain it when I actually get there.
Until next time!