In the wake of a brutal battle, everyone moves onward. One group heads out, another prepares for the worst, and a new challenger arrives.
Let's see how it goes.
Chapter start!
Asriel didn't get much sleep last night. After the stressful day that came before, he didn't find much time or use for sleep, even though he knew that he couldn't afford to not be well rested, especially since he would have to be on the move again very soon. Especially with one brother incapacitated, his other brother sent away along with their mother, leaving him with his father.
Both of them were affected by this, hence Asgore not really having much sleep himself either. Though he seems to be slightly better off, as he seems to be much more focused than Asriel, though not from lack of trying on Asriel's part.
Both of their eyes briefly went to the comatose Chara, who was being tenderly tended to by Muffet. With her and GROUP being around to help him, as well being entrusted with the protection of Legatum's Guardians as they help the Kingdom recover, they felt that Chara was in reliable hands.
Muffet had six, so she was extra handy. Sans would probably laugh at that one.
Everyone was awake, or at least awake enough to pay attention and prepared enough to head out and/or prepared to continue helping the Kingdom recover. Alphys sighed as she sipped a bit of morning tea prepares by Rebecca, before she brought out her phone.
"I've already sent out a transmission back home for the others to catch wind of our situation. It might take a while for them to respond, but they'll definitely get it." Alphys informed everyone around. "It may be rough to let them know how badly things went for us, and it's especially worrying in Faryn's case considering how protective her father is. He entrusted her to us and we let her out of our sight."
"Not completely. She is with Toriel and Frisk. We trust them." Undyne reminded, relaxing an elbow on Alphys' head. The lizard didn't seem to mind, simply continuing calculations. "As for everyone else, we know what we gotta do for the most part. Me, Al, and Gerson are gonna go after Toriel, Frisk, and Faryn in Gustus. With any luck, they'll have a warm welcome and won't be in serious immediate danger." She turned towards Asgore with a stern nod. "Leave it to us, Asgore. You're a heavy hitter that's gonna be needed when going to Libertas ahead of some of us. We'll get in contact with ya as soon as we confirm they're safe."
"With the way that this Revan person singled out Toriel and Frisk, it wouldn't do to have more of you gathered in one place." Alphys added while swiping on her phone. "There's also the risk of being picked off one by one, but that's why our groups have to be strong enough to handle any other potential ambushes. We have to be ready in case they try to single us out again."
"Right. Okay." Asgore nodded solemnly. It was a really rough ordeal to be trapped in, but he had faith in everyone. Toriel was strong enough to protect herself as well as the two children, he trusted her to handle herself. His worry mainly stemmed from the fact that Revan singled them out, and that greatly increased his anxiety on the matter. Though as onlookers observed, she was able to stand her ground against him in a somewhat even battle, with him slightly having the edge. Frisk and Faryn attempted to help, as well as Gaster, who fought the mage first. Revan went through all of them and only retreated due to exhaustion, not a near-defeat.
Even if they remember that he hasn't polished his skill and power in a while, his menacing shadow has already cast itself over the gang. And that was just one of the seven. It's leaving them anxious to think about what could happen if more show up while they're separated from more of their powerful allies, hence why they're emphasizing the need to be prepared for anything.
"Papyrus." Undyne soon turned to the lanky skeleton in question. "You've got friends backing you up, so I don't want you doing anything reckless on your own. Remember that as you proceed to get Sans back."
"YES MA'AM." Papyrus saluted strongly. She could still hear the shakiness in his voice, but he seemed to have gotten better after some rest. He seems a lot more ready now.
"Okay. Asriel." Undyne then turned to the Prince in question. "If what they say is true, then Terra has run off to her homeland. She still has to answer for the destruction of the Seloms Archipelago, even if she wasn't completely willing. Nikon must have closure after the destruction her her tribe's home. I'm leaving her to you while I go and help your Mom and brother." Undyne lightly walks up to him and gives him a brief noogie, followed by a gentle kiss to his forehead. "I'm countin' on ya, Prince."
"Yes, Ma'am." Asriel nodded strongly. "Though, before we proceed on with that, there's something else we need to go over, first." Asriel turned to Darkness, who has been quiet for quite a long time, in comparison to Lunar working out in a corner, and Tempest reading a book. "Darkness, you have a few answers for some questions on our minds, don't you?"
Darkness felt many eyes fall onto him. He sighed as he sits up from his chair, clearing his throat. "Of course. Now, there is something very important I wish to tell you all in regards of our pursuit of Terra. Her position and condition are rather difficult. For you see, she's been placed under a curse. She is placed under a magical compulsion to not directly rebel against her masters. And in some cases, the curse is enforced so she is forced to do things she'd rather refuse to do. They're like chains placed on the soul itself." Darkness lightly scratched his head. "I know about these kinds of curses, as some are of my own design."
"Seriously?" Muffet raised her head in brief surprise, as well as everyone else. Then they remembered that Darkness himself, as well as his cousins, have admitted that he has not treasured morality back then like he does now.
"Superiors back in Libertas must have placed a curse on her long ago. The exact limits of Terra's curse are unclear, but I know for sure that she cannot directly rebel or attack the ones who placed the curse on her, even if she might want to." Darkness lowered his head. "It can be resisted to a certain extent, but it cannot be broken outright by the victim. The one who placed the curse either has to voluntarily undo it, or die."
"Oh..." Alphys lowered her head a bit. That seems like much in order to keep a leash on someone no matter what they do. At the very least, it means that Terra can't openly rebel against her superiors without consequences making her regret it immensely.
"Tch. That does seem like a shitty position to be stuck in, but I'm not letting her off that easy just for that." Undyne shook her head. "She needs to face Nikon and the others, for both of their sakes. Though clearly we can't let anything bad happen to her in the meantime." She turned towards Gnome, who was sitting idly on his globe. "Gnome considers her his friend. He's not willing to give up on her, and she seemed like she does regret how things turned out. She has a chance to turn herself around, but we have to break her out of that curse first."
"Toxin, he's certainly going to get in our way." Alphys lightly rubbed her shoulders.
"So as long as Terra is under a curse, she can't free herself. Which means we have to free her ourselves so we can bring her back with us." Asriel narrowed his eyes. "In order to do that, and rescue Sans, we have to get past Toxin. There's no way he's going to willingly free her, so..."
"He'll have to die." Lunar growled while sitting up, brushing herself off and cracking her knuckles. "Killing him would be a service, curse or no curse."
"The amount of damage he instigated to Legatum must not be allowed to stand. Not to mention.." Asgore thought back to how Toxin simply caused the marks he placed on his own allies to self-destruct and destroy them, and how he captured Sans not that long afterwards. Asgore still blamed himself for the latter, especially after he saved him from the outwards destruction of the toxic explosions. But he can't afford to dwell on that, he'd rather redeem himself for his mistake than to sit around and lament while not doing anything.
"So we're all in agreement then? I'll focus on helping Legatum rebuild and helping Chara along with his recovery. The rest will follow Frisk, Toriel, and Faryn in Gustus, and rescue Sans and get Terra in Libertas, and to defeat Toxin." Rebecca declared as she once again got everyone's attention. "Be warned, it's unlikely that Toxin will be your only enemy in Libertas. I highly suggest that you all stay on your guard at all times."
"Right!" Everyone came to agreement, some more subdued than others.
"Safe journey, all. We will hold things down here in case things turn for the worse." Efreet voiced soothingly, sporting a warm and gentle fire for several citizens who would need time for their homes to be rebuild.
"Leave it to us!" Slyph saluted the group, while gently blowing a soothing cool breeze towards those who were a bit heated. She and Efreet were careful not clashing with their elements not clashing with each other.
"I will hasten Chara's recovery as much as I can. Entrust his care to me." Undine hums, standing on a platform of water while overseeing Chara's treatment, with Muffet standing just a little bit away so she could work unhindered.
"Please...bring Terra...back...I have to...stay by...Rebecca's...side. Don't let...Terra...stay under...Toxin's...grasp..." Gnome said slowly, sitting atop his globe while casually manifesting earth shaped shelters for people to rest in.
"Don't worry. Even though we're not exactly favoring her right now thanks to splitting some of us up, we intend to bring her back safely." Asgore hummed while looking out the window, solemnly sighing. "We've gone quite a bit over our heads. Perhaps we were too hasty in having an expedition here. But regardless of that, we can't leave things as they are. We'll have to see this through for each other's sakes, and for the same of those who went missing during this incident, as well as those injured from the attack."
Asriel took a deep breath, as well as some time to collect himself. Right next to him we're his supporters. Red, who sheathed her blade with a resolved expression, and MK lightly stretching his mechanical arms before clapping them together and briefly headbutting the ground. This time it was on purpose. Maybe.
Asriel took a final look towards the comatose Chara, closed his eyes, and renewed his resolve.
"We have our objectives to meet. We should get going as soon as we can. Everyone stay safe and stay together in your groups. Please, be as safe as you can."
"Right!" Everyone agreed in unison, and some began hearing out immediately. Those who were left behind watched them leave with good wishes yet heavy hearts. Their expedition has gotten much more difficult and complicated than expected, though they have not lost any heart.
They will power through, filled with determination.
(Gustus)
Toriel was honestly distressed.
She seriously could not fathom how is it that many of the major faces of the Kingdoms she and her loved ones visit have some semblance of tearful tragedy in their lives. It has not failed so far, and she has fears that it will not cease the further they go on to new places.
Seriously.
Faryn's mother was killed and she had to absorb her soul, which resulted in Tamotsu becoming extra protective of his daughter and Kingdom. Valerie was the unfortunate witness to a massive slaughter with the purpose of gaining her bounty, which forced Levi and Cleo to become the biggest criminals ride in a Kingdom with them. And she'd rather not go into the mess that was the family of Eloise, Elvira, Parvos, and Ratoveros.
Come this new continent, Rebecca's family was dead due to a trusted guard making a mistake and her mother being a coward, and said guard attempted to kill her later in her life. Now in Gustus, where this poor child doesn't have his family either, devoured by a malevolent monster named Behemoth, leaving a child to grow up trying to learn how to manage a Kingdom. The difference between him and Rebecca was that the latter an adult by the time Toriel met her, and thus pretty much has the whole thing down, and was able to fight and defend herself to a degree.
Her maternal instinct was screaming at her to pick him up and give him a hug, as he really was a child in comparison to all the others. The likes of Faryn and Valerie have at least reached their teen years, seventeen and sixteen respectively. Rebecca is an adult in her twenties. Galen is eight! Eight! The poor baby hasn't even turned TEN yet and he's been put in charge of an entire Kingdom?!
Is it possible for me to visit a Kingdom in which the rulers of it have NOT been touched, were caused by, or have been causing tragedy? Is that truly too much to request?!
Given how the likes of Lunar, Tempest, and Darkness were born and raised in Libertas as living weapons-the third used to be an amoral scientist-, and Anima was completely wiped out...Toriel isn't feeling too great about her chances of getting her wish.
"I'll be honest, we, like, kinda had a few reservations about actually letting you too close." Danielle broke Toriel out of her thoughts as they moved into a much larger room in the Great Tree Palace. "Dreemurrs are, after all, totally natural and proficient users of the flame element. That's mostly instinctual concern, though. It's nothing against you all as people. No probs from us."
"I have plant magic and fire magic. What does that make me?" Faryn raised a hand as her tails swished about, casually brushing against Frisk's face several times. At one point, he shrugs as he takes one of her tails into his arms and cuddles the fluffy limb with a sigh. Faryn didn't mind, focused more on her question.
"A rather unique clash, in my personal opinion. Then again, you are a kitsune monster, and daughter of the Demon Fox King Tamotsu. It's a given that you would be very powerful in both aspects." Danielle observed as the leaves danced around Faryn's form, which she watched in awe as she raised her hands around her. "I can tell you've trained your powers pretty well. Like, super well."
"I did. I'm really good with fire and plants. Which extends to wood and vines and leaves and other stuff...this is a really big tree." Faryn listed, before she trailed off and continued observing the insides of the Tree Palace.
"W-Well, um, it took q-quite a long time for I-it to grow. I-I kinda think it's begun growing long before I was born, though." King/Prince? Galen explained as he was leading the way, rather clumsily, observed by Toriel, who was feeling conflicted on whether to pick up him and carry him or not. "T-Though some of the p-people say that it hasn't stopped g-growing y-yet. Some s-say that I-it's maximum size will e-eventually reach a tiny bit p-past the cloud layer..."
"Eh?!" Frisk actually widened his eyes, if only briefly, at the statement.
"Wow! It's a super duper tree that's going to grow up into a super duper duper tree?!" Faryn exclaimed with her mouth agape in awe.
"That does sound...rather large. It would be around the size of the larger mountains." Toriel noted, looking genuinely surprised.
"It's, like, totally gonna happen at some point. Many a dryad like myself have been overseeing it for a good long while now. A majestic tree that, like, watches over and nurtures all of the other plants in the Kingdom, yeah?" Danielle informed. "You can seriously feel the immense magic flowing through this tree, it helps nurture most of the plants that people grow, and they in turn help nurture each other. The Kingdom of Gustus is more than a Kingdom of zest and appetizing feasts, it's also, totally a Kingdom of connections formed through nature and nurture."
"That sounds...beautiful." Faryn breathed slowly, genuinely touched by such a concept. It's something her late mother would have wanted for Astus. At the thought, she placed her hand idly over her heart, and felt her soul grow a tiny bit warmer. She closed her eyes with a sigh. "Nice. That does sound really nice."
"I-It does. T-Though I'm not sure h-how I'm going to be able to c-continue it. W-Which is why I have a lot of help from others in order t-to see myself through it all." Galen says, then gasped as he nearly trips over his own two feet. A quick branch from Danielle saved him from landing flat on his face, though it did make his glasses fall off to the side. "Ah g-gosh!"
"Watch your step, little King." Danielle sighed as another branch placed his glasses back on his face and brushed any possible dirt off, before she turned towards the trio in question. "Well then we gave you a little bit of a rundown on our history, though there's other stuff to mention too. Though more importantly, what's your story? Regarding how the heck you ended here. Full details."
Toriel sighed as they eventually seated themselves in a massive room filled with various chairs formed out of branches, matched with a surprisingly sturdy table. She made sure Frisk and Faryn were properly comfortable before clearing her throat. "It is quite a rough tale to tell, you see..."
It took a bit of time, but Toriel broke down the basics of their situation, what they were initially after, and what has happened and changed during that time. Galen and Danielle listened with practiced patience, with Galen looking like he was having a rough time staying awake-and looked positively precious sitting on the much larger Danielle's lap, pulled into a hug-and Danielle was paying much closer attention because her King was having a slightly rough time with it. After Toriel managed to finish her story with a sigh, Danielle hummed and rubbed her chin.
"Huh. That explains why you looked the worst out of the three of you. You lost your temper and attempted to kill one of the Seven. You kinda had him blow for blow, but then he went for the kids..." Danielle guessed correctly, seeing the shame etched onto Toriel's face, her head hanging low. "You don't have to look like that. It sounded, like, pretty personal between the two of you, so you weren't as calm and composed as you would have liked to be."
"That was one of the times where it was necessary to be calm and composed. I was facing an ancient enemy, and I had little actual control of myself. As I result, I was gravely injured, and I ended up worrying my son." Toriel shook her head while clasping her paws. "I am literally wearing the consequences on my back."
"Yeah, I've seen the marks. You said those were made by a combat knife/dagger? Those stab wounds looked, like, vicious." Danielle winced at the sight of it when they first brought Toriel into the medical area. Even with healing magic, there were still permanent scars left behind on her back. Her fur would most likely cover them up, but they definitely wont ever fade away from her skin completely. "Revan, was it? He was definitely going in for a ruthless kill. And you said Frisk was the target?"
"I refused to allow it. I refused to move my body from in-between them. He can scar me until I am covered head to toe in my own blood and dust begins seeping from the wounds, but I would not let him harm Frisk from that point forward." A flash of fire passed through Toriel's eyes.
Danielle whistled as she hung back in her seat, lightly adjusting Galen's glasses and keeping them on her face. "Well if there's one thing we gathered from your state, you most certainly fought tooth and nail for his sake. And I can, like, seriously give my respect to you for that."
"Even so, it would be wise for me to not act so recklessly again, at least not to that degree. My tunnel-vision on killing Revan nearly got us killed instead." She muttered while instinctively placing a comforting paw on Frisk's head, which he gently leaned into. "Next time, I will be prepared. And there will be a next time. He is going to come after us. Specifically you and me, my child."
Frisk shivered at the thought, hugging his arms and rubbing his shoulders slightly. Revan. That man's heart and soul was far darker, colder, and sinister than Chara's at his absolute worst. His malice far surpasses that which his sworn elder brother once held. It baffled Frisk that someone could carry such a malevolent aura taking up their entire being. Revan has made it very clear that he hated monsters, and especially hated Frisk with an intense passion. He's sworn to kill him no matter what it takes. As soon as he's done licking his wounds, he'll come back for him. He also intends to kill Toriel alongside him.
Revan has made it absolutely, bluntly, loudly, and violently clear that there was no way to peacefully end their conflict. Frisk isn't looking forward to what may be required to put an end to it.
"Anyway, you said that after the whole thing was over, Legatum is basically, like, pretty messed up, yeah?" Danielle continued, getting them back on track. "They'd like for us to give them a helping hand?"
"That is correct."
"I-I don't know...t-the last time G-Gustus and L-L-Legatum tried to come to an agreement, t-things went wrong from t-there end, and t-t-they never tried again." Galen noted, trying to clear his throat so he could be heard properly. "I-It's not like we don't w-w-want to help, b-but what exactly is it t-that they need?"
"I'd say protection and support. From what we heard before we got sent over here, Libertas is going to hurt Legatum even worse than before, and we can't have that when they suffered grave damage from the inside." Faryn brought up, her fox ears flicking about at the various noises within the Great Tree. "If they get attacked while in the middle of a recovery period, they won't survive. Some of our friends are likely to stay there and support them, but it's going to put them in even deeper danger. Everyone's gonna get hurt even worse if they don't get some outside help."
Toriel nodded throughout all of this, with Faryn's measured explanation of things helping things along. She couldn't help but recall what Terra said before she sent them all here.
'Some of you are needed elsewhere...'
Obviously Terra told them that Legatum was in danger, and that it attempted to build connections with Gustus before, so it made some sense that she might have sent them here. If she really didn't have a choice but to oppose them, she did so in an indirect wa that'd both help them and coincide with her directive. In the form of them being unable to immediately interfere with what's coming to Legatum, especially since their phones are destroyed, contact with the others that way was out of the question. Though Toriel had a feeling that it was more than just letting someone know of their plight.
By offering to help Legatum, Gustus would place a target on itself, and attempted assistance would be met with resistance and attempts to cut it off. Which means if they hadn't already, Libertas would send in something to interfere with attempted assistance and negotiations. And if Gustus refuses, they'd probably send something to attack them anyway, just to be certain. And that not even accounting for how little they knew about the outlier Kingdom, Solitas. She'd need more information on that one, at some point.
Toriel wasn't absolutely certain of all of this, but given that Anima had been wiped out by Libertas probably just because they could, she didn't want to leave this particular situation to chance. For better or worse, she needed to plan ahead for possible future encounters with an enemy, whether they be one of the Seven, or someone/something else.
"Galen, Danielle." Toriel raised her head, her regal tone coming to play as she gets serious about the topic. "I have some thoughts to share. I woild be happy if you heard me out." Already having their attention, Toriel decided, as her best friend tended to say under a rather...unfortune circumstance, to 'just get to the point'. "I have reason to believe that Libertas may be planning to attack Gustus as well."
"W-What?! Why?!" Galen meeped, startled at the possibility. Danielle quickly hugged him and nuzzled his cheek to soothe him, keeping her eyes on Toriel.
"Whaddya mean? Don't tell me that they're gonna try and mess with us for helping Legatum's situation? The heck they, like, wanna do that for? We didn't even do anything yet!"
"I do not think that they care either way. Or, they would rather not take any chances. They want their attack on Legatum to go completely uninterrupted. I do not intend to give them that luxury, and I am sure my friends would not, either." Toriel declared while sitting up straight. "I ask for your assistance in this incoming endeavor, King Galen, Danielle. The wellbeing of your own Kingdom is also at stake."
Danielle briefly hummed while clicking her tongue, before she stretched a bit and looked their three guests in the eyes. "Why would you risk yourselves so much to help us, though? And helping Legatum, for that manner? Like, you're risking yourselves for people who live on an entirely different continent than yourselves, man!"
"We cannot turn our backs on those who may need our help. It would do no one any good if we knew what we knew and did not attempt to inform you." Toriel responded while gently shaking her head. "If there is a way I can help, then I shall."
"I'll help out, too!" Frisk raised a hand cheerily.
"Oh! I'm also good at helping! Royalty should help royalty help the people they lead and protect!" Faryn also raised a hand, her tails waving about. "You can count on us, King Galen! We'll help you get through this, then we'll become friends and have an ultra big banquet together!"
"B-Banquet?" Galen blinked at the suggestion.
"Of course! A banquet to celebrate the start of our friendship! I'll be sure to let Daddy know so he doesn't become all surprised and such! Oh, do you like quiche? Meat? Snacks? What kind of snacks would you like at the feast? I can-" Faryn was getting off topic, so Frisk lightly tapped her cheek twice to snap out of it, stopping her before she lost herself in her listing.
"Easy, Faryn. We need to make sure Galen's Kingdom makes it out of this with as little damage as possible. If we can manage that, then we celebrate that alongside the official confirmation of being friends."
"Oh, right! I'm rushing a bit, sorry." Faryn sheepishly rubbing the back of her head while lightly sticking out her tongue. She then cleared her throat and straightened her posture. "I'm not gonna let anybody wreck Gustus. I just got here, and it looks too beautiful and majestic to be wrecked. People here really seem to be well connected to their environment, and vice versa. I wanna explore it some more and learn about it through experience."
"I-I see. I-In that case, u-um, I will h-humbly accept your assistance." Galen looked like he was struggling on what exactly to say, having understandably not been in this kind of situation before.
Faryn could see how nervous he was still, and briefly thought about how to put him at ease a bit more. Her fox ears soon perked up as she lifted her fox tails forward. "Will it be alright if I offer to let you feel my tails? They're super fuzzy and fluffy!"
Galen blinked at the strange offer, briefly looking towards Danielle for support. The dryad looked caught off-guard by the offer, but soon shrugged, not seeing the harm. She gestured for Galen to move towards Faryn giving him the go ahead. Pushing down his anxiousness, he stepped forward towards Princess Faryn, who calmly offered him her fluffy tails. Galen flinched slightly and reached out to touch them. He blinked as they reacted rather tenderly, gently brushing up against him with no intention of harm. Feeling a bit easier, Galen goes on to lightly pet the fluffy tails, and marveling at how soft to the touch they were. To Danielle's pleasant surprise, he smiled and simply hugged one of the tails, cuddling it.
"It's so soft and warm!"
"I know, right?" Frisk smiled as he held onto Faryn's other tail and began nuzzling it as well. Faryn didn't mind at all, simply smiling while bringing attention to possible other foods Gustus has to offer.
Toriel looked a bit surprised at the scene herself, though Danielle snapped her out of it by appearing next to her from a larger branch and lightly patting her back. "I gotta say, those two kids tagging along with you was a pretty lucky circumstance. Galen looks a bit more comfortable interacting with those at least a bit closer to his age. I, like, don't mean any offense by that, seriously."
"No, I understand." Toriel shook her head, letting her know it was fine. She gazed at the three children simply cuddling and laughing with one another, a picture of innocence. She couldn't help but smile at the sight.
This was all the more reason to make sure that Gustus remains well, so they could have more interactions like this.
(Meanwhile, further outside Gustus, hours later)
"I'm still really worried about everything that's transpired." Alphys sighed as she adjusted her glasses, briefly wiping some mist off of them with her shirt. She and Gerson were following Undyne down their expected path to Gustus. By foot, it was still a long way's away. It wasn't the most ideal way to travel there, but after the revelation that some of the Ancient Magicians have their eyes on them, it was better to not chance anything by being too far out into the open.
And on another note, Alphys lamented that she couldn't just teleport them to Gustus. Gaster might have been able to get them there with his Void Magic, but that was incredibly dangerous for him to use, so it was best they didn't force him to hurt himself just to make traveling easier on his friends. If Alphys was able, she'd make a teleporter to Gustus, but she'd have to actually been there first in order for it to work. A network of teleporters for better fast travel between Kingdoms. If they could get things to an ideal state, they could mimic that practice here.
"We all are, Al. But constantly worryin' about everything isn't gonna do us squat, especially if it keeps us from being active." Undyne muttered with her hands resting behind her head. "It definitely ain't the best scenario in the world, but we gotta work with what we have, and push through with it. We just gotta trust each other on the bet that we're all gonna get through this in no time." Undyne thought that over, and shook her head. "Know what, no. Best not to rush things or else we'll end him tripping and falling on our asses. We'll take things as carefully as we need to, and move faster when an opportunity allows it."
"You're looking and soundin' more cautious than usual, Undyne. Somethin' on your mind?" Gerson asked the fish woman, who shrugged calmly.
"I think I'm further understanding just how serious this shit is getting. Going up against the guys who sealed the monsters under Mt. Ebott is a big deal. Toriel barely fought one of them to a standstill, and he was supposedly out of practice for the most part. I can't imagine what potentially fighting any of the others may be like." Undyne sighed. "Worrying about it is unlikely to be much help, though. I can't really get it out of my head, so I'll just keep on my guard until further notice."
"You're on high alert, but you're trying to not let it interfere with your focus."
"Yeah. I gotta focus on helping Toriel and the two punks, while Asgore goes with the others to fix his mistake and help save Sans. We've been pretty split, especially since some of us are still recovering in Legatum." Undyne hummed while looking towards Gerson. "Feels like we're entering a new state with all this stuff hitting us hard and stretching us thin, ya know?"
"A difficulty spike?" Alphys nervously lifted a paw while answering.
"Something like t-" Undyne suddenly stopped, shooting a hand in front of the shorter Gerson and Alphys. "Hold up."
"What is it?" Gerson narrowed his eye, sensing the urgency in her tone, while Alphys looked startled by her sudden action.
"There's somebody out here with us." Undyne noted as she checked the area around her. At this point, they were in a wide open, grassy field with the forest currently being behind them. To their right, there was a large lake that seemed to sparkle and shine under the brightness of the sunlight, and to their left was a large boulder that lied idly on the side, having been turned over and presumably been there for quite a while. Undyne narrowed her eyes, took a deep breath, and shouted: "C'mon out! I know a powerful presence when I sense one, so don't patronize me by hiding!"
There was dead silence at first. Undyne manifests a water spear in her hand, Gerson had his Warhammer prepared, and Alphys was just anxiously looking around for whatever Undyne was sensing. She too could definitely feel that someone was here.
"...Ohoho, you've certainly got the senses of a warrior. Coming here may not be a waste of time after all."
At the sound of the feminine voice, Gerson's eye widened. "Oh no..."
"Oh no? What do you mean 'oh no?' Why the 'Oh no'?!" Alphys sputtered slightly.
Slowly, a woman came out from behind the boulder, and made her stride towards them. Behind her, twelve swords briefly spun about a bit and them glamorously expanded, before coming back and forming a ring behind her back. They were as long as Undyne's arm, curving extravagantly and ending in a hilt decorated with violet flora. The woman had a snow white complexion, contrasting her intricately black hair consisting of wavy locks over one shoulder. Her black and white dress had long sleeves, and nicely hugged her shapely figure down to her wide hips, before gently flowing around her feet, which sported pointed black stilettos.
Undyne noticed that with each step the human woman took, her feet did not disturb the grass she was walking over in the slightest. She held an almost unnatural amount of grace within her movement. And her crimson red eyes were locked on her.
"I must say, you look quite a bit rougher in person, Undyne 'The Undying'. Muscular, yet feminine." The woman noted, her Ruby lips curving into a smile, and then managed a quick look towards Gerson. "Gerson! It's been so long, dear. I honestly thought you would have been peacefully retired by now."
"Yeah, well, I felt like I still have quite a bit more to do, ya see." Gerson smiled, though Undyne could see the anxiousness on both it and within his eye.
"Gerson, ya know this chick?" Undyne asked him, but stopped herself. She narrowed her eye. "Wait, don't tell me. She's one of them, right?"
"Got in one, lass."
"W-W-W-What?! Here?! NOW?!" Alphys yelped and latched onto Undyne, staring at the woman across from them while nervously shivering. "T-This is seriously b-bad timing for something l-like this!"
"Is it? I find this to be perfectly acceptable timing, but perhaps that is just me." The woman smiles and waves her hand. "But where are my manners? I haven't even introduced myself." She stepped back a bit and took a noble bow. "You may call me Adira. My occupation is within the Seven Magicians that sealed your group of monsters under Mt. Ebott many years ago."
Gerson nervously shifted about, though didn't stop glaring at her. "I hafta agree with Alphys, you sure picked a mighty fine to greet us. Especially since we're kinda in a hurry."
"Goodness, my feelings are hurt, Gerson the Gallant. And here I thought we would be meeting each other again in more pleasant terms." Adira playfully lifted up her hand. "Come now, let's greet each other properly. I'll give you a kiss on the cheek, and you can kiss the back of my hand. Let's make this a friendly encounter, shall we?"
"Heh. Temptin', considering that centuries have passed and I'll admit you're still as beautiful as ever. Sides', ya don't want an old geezer like me kissin' yer hand."
"Nonsense! No monster has ever been as courteous, polite, and gentlemanly to me as you have back then. Even now, you're being so polite!" Adira smiled warmly. "Oh Gerson, how I genuinely missed you. Even now, you're still the same strong, chivalrous, handsome warrior tortoise I knew back then, only wiser and more mature. I'm truly glad to see you're still alive and doing so well for yourself."
"...Gerson. What's she going on about?" Undyne questioned, unsure if she really wanted an answer.
"Why are the two of you speaking so intimately?!" Alphys stared bug-eyed at Gerson, who coughed into his fist several times and was hiding his face under his hat. She pawed her cheeks in stunned silence. Oh my god.
"Oh my, I'm losing sight of the topic, forgive me." Adira cleared her throat and took a breath. "I have come all this way from where I reside, mostly for one sole reason. Undyne." Said monster's head snapped to attention once her name was called. "I challenge you to a duel."
"The hell? A duel?" Undyne narrowed her eye at the proclamation, though she didn't see any intentions of deceit within Adira's eyes.
"I have been wondering just how much strength the Dreemurr Faction is truly capable of, and my attention has since been locked onto you." Adira continued, holding out a hand, as some of her swords pointed in the same direction. "Your warrior spirit intrigues me. I wish to pit my might against yours, and see which of us can grow more from it."
"...This ain't a trap, is it?"
"Oh, so cautious despite tales of your recklessness. Hm. No, I have no more agenda to be here than to do battle with you." Adira declared, raising a hand up to her generous chest. "I know you won't believe me when I say this, but the seven of us aren't as unified and organized as you might think. I wish we were a more tight-knit gathering of friends such as your group, but I'm stuck with my sorry bunch. Years watching the world progress without our interference, and being better off for it more than worse, made us all... disillusioned to it, as well as each other."
Undyne narrowed her eye, lightly pushing her hair away from her face. "Why are you telling us this?"
"Call it a gesture of goodwill. My being here is of my own free will and desire, not influenced by whatever they might want from me." Adira extended her hand outwards. "And my desire today, is to do battle with you. See whose spirit for battle is greater."
Undyne eyes the great magician for several moments, before tilting her head. "You're not gonna let any of us pass unless I fight you, are ya?"
"Ohohoho! So quick on the uptake, I appreciate that!"
"Thought so. Alright." Undyne cracked her neck, then her knuckles, then spits into the ground. "Let's go."
"U-Undyne?! Are you sure about this?" Alphys asked anxiously, lightly holding onto her hand.
"Undyne..." Gerson narrowed his eye, keeping Adira in his sight.
"Regardless of whatever her true intentions are, she's not gonna let us pass for free." Undyne reassuringly squeezed Alphys' paw, before moving forward and removing her eye patch, then opening her left eye, feeling her magic . "Gustus is right behind her. We gotta get past as soon as possible to help Toriel and the two punks."
"Oh? You're going all out at the start? For me?" Adira cooed as she slowly approaches Undyne, with her swords twirling around her in delight. "Why Undyne, we've only just met each other. And yet you're being so generous!"
"You're one of the people who sealed my people away under a mountain for years. You've devastated Monsterkind in the war. I can't afford to pull my punches, just to have a chance." Undyne noted while the two women closed the distance between them. "Sides, sooner we get past you the better. We gotta help our friends."
"You're a very loyal friend. What you say is genuine. Though you can be more honest with me, Undyne. I have been with you, so far."
Undyne soon stopped in place, yet Adira stepped a few more paces forward, until she had her chest gently pressed against Undyne's, looking her in the eyes. Gerson and Alphys stood back looking worried, choosing not to interfere in fear of retaliation. It's not ideal, but the best way to minimize any potential damage is to give the woman what she wants, as she doesn't appear to be lying.
"Your heart is racing with anxiousness, yet also excitement. Your soul is burning with anticipation. The look in your eye his thirsty for combat against a powerful foe to push yourself further, to better build your strength and ability to protect your loved ones." Adira noted, while Undyne stared stoically into her eyes. "Face it, Undyne. We are kindred spirits. For your friends sake as well as your own, you're looking forward to this battle as much as I."
With that, the two warriors jumped away from each other and drew their weapons. A spear manifests in Undyne's hand, while Adira grabs one of her twelve swords. Both of them pointed them at each other's faces, unflinching. The wind blew by and caused both of their hair to flow with it's breeze. Gerson and Alphys stood on the side, with the latters anxiously covering her mouth.
After a moment of silence, Undyne sports her trademark grin, laced with anticipation.
"Fuhuhuhu. Well, maybe just a little."
Asriel and Asgore's group heads for Libertas, Toriel helps Gustus prepare for trouble that might soon double, and Undyne's accepted a duel against a ladylike mage who's yet a passionate herself.
People are spread thin and are still experiencing difficulty. Gonna take a lot more determination to break through these obstacles. Or finding ways around them.
Until next time!