Chapter XV

Back on the road

Two months have past since that day, during that time Sans has worked on his new magic abilities. Indeed, after almost a week without any sign of a possible use of them, an unexpected accident had revealed the existence of some blue magic. So far, he has only been able to summon harmless bones and make levitate small objects; in a nutshell: almost nothing. He was as powerful as a skeleton toddler, meaning he stood no chance against a monster only counting on his magic, and barely one counting on any other abilities…

Sans had finally come to think it might be time to resume their journey. Papyrus was reluctant at first, but the thought of meeting his father got rid of his unwillingness quickly. After all, they could always go back to Snowdin with him. By the time the two brothers came on the agreement to go back on the road, Grillby had managed to get Sans a better disguise so no fish sentry would attack him without thinking it twice. The boy now owns a beautiful skeleton mask with a bright smile carved in its wood, which got Grillby some "I'm fed up with your crap"' look.

.

'So… You're leaving?' the young fire monster asked with an expression of sadness.

'Seems so,' the muffled voice of the other teenager answers.

'Will you come back?'

'Dunno.'

'You're holding the map upside down.'

'Oh…'

.

Sans sighs, and puts the precious paper back on the table. Then, he turns his head towards the window to look at Papyrus who is happily playing outside. The teenager is thoughtful: since the beginning of the day, he had been wondering how they would cross Waterfall. Despite his new disguise, he feels like nothing would fool the monster who attacked them — well, actually, who attacked him. The best way to stay out of trouble would be avoiding her, but it would be delicate. From what he has learned from Grillby, she is a sentry named Undyne and nothing less than one of the best. She has been working for the Royal Guard for a few years, and the fire monster barely knows anything about her besides what he heard. Actually, he isn't even sure that she is still a sentry. For what he knows, she may have been promoted to captain. Anyway, the point is that it is her job to patrol the place. Meaning she may not let them cross it without watching them carefully. Which is not good. Not at all.

.

'Sans, what's bothering you so much? You've been quite… silent since this morning.'

'Just thinking of tomorrow. Y'know, how this Sunday will be without sun,' Sans says without a smile. 'I guess it will just be a simple day then.'

'You're not even trying to be funny,' Grillby sighs.

'I know.'

'Besides,' he replies, 'it will be sunny tomorrow.'

'With a real sun?' the boy points out with cynicism, giving his friend a glare of an impressive darkness with his cyan eyes.

'Now you're just being a pain.'

'Thanks.'

.

oOo

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The following day isn't more cheerful as the two brothers leave the small town. When Papyrus says goodbye with a radiant joy, Sans barely looks at Grillby from where he stands. He is still bothered by his thoughts of the past day, and merely waves at his friend while walking away with the little skeleton.

And they walk. And walk. Take a break. Walk again. Eat and rest. Walk for a long time. Stop.

.

When the night comes by, the brothers have reached the first of the difficulties they will have to overcome: Waterfall. Exhausted, they decide to spend the night in a small cave or, rather, Sans finally gives in to the constant whining of Papyrus. It's damp, and quite gloomy as well, but it will have to do anyway. The young skeleton falls asleep quite quickly, probably because he can't really feel the coldness of the air, whereas Sans can't close an eye. He doesn't know if the cold is actually responsible for this, though. The teenage boys is, however, regretting the fact he left Grillby without a word and feels like trash for this. Especially because, Papyrus not included, the fire monster is the only friend he has down here and he doesn't want to lose him. Three hours later, Sans eventually agrees with himself on what he will do.

.

I'll say sorry when we go back to Snowdin.

I'm sure it will be fine that way…

Right?

How could he know he would never be able to do so?