Chapter Four: Warm Inns or White Outs
Frisk smiled as he saw the town of Snowdin for the first time. It had a small, close, friendly feel to it, in a stark contrast to the huge, sprawling human cities that were ever growing above ground. It reminded him of quaint, quiet villages and hamlets that he had known in ages past. He smiled and shook his head. He glanced up and saw a shop. He brought up the wallet he had been given, and he head enough gold for a few items, should he need. Some of the monsters he had befriended had given him some money, which would help. Frisk brushed a strand of hair from his face, and found it had been singed. Not too surprising. He was very lucky to escape as he did. He rubbed his shoulder as he opened the door of the shop.
"Hello, traveller, how can I help you?" asked a feminine voice. He looked up at the female monster who was the shopkeeper.
She was about as tall as Toriel was, her fur was a lovely shade of purple. She looked like a fusion of a human and a rabbit. Her tone was friendly and warm, just like the shop that gave a soft, warm glow. Frisk smiled as he walked up to the counter.
"Hello," he replied.
"Can't remember the last time I saw a new face around here." Frisk smiled gently at this. He noticed some warm cinnamon buns that looked tasty. The shopkeeper looked pleased at his selection. "Those are my own recipe. I normally sell them for twenty-five gold, but for you, I'll let you have one for fifteen." Frisk nodded and paid her. As he took the bun, she looked at him. "Are you okay? You have soot on you, and you look like you've been in a fight." Frisk looked at himself, and wasn't too surprised. He smiled at her, trying not to sway. "You look tired. My sister, next door, runs an inn. Frisk nodded at her. He did feel tired.
"Thank you," he said, his exhaustion evident in his tone. As he turned and swayed, the shopkeeper surprised him by coming around the counter and steadying him.
"Here," she said as she gently led him out of the shop, putting up a "closed" sign, and leading Frisk next door to the inn. After all of that, he was barely standing, he was so tired. He could barely hear the conversation between the shopkeeper and her sister, but he was led to a warm, soft room.
XXX
The next thing he knew, it was dawn, or as close as it came to it under the ground. Frisk got up from the cozy bed, and headed down the stairs to the lobby. A pink rabbit-woman was behind the counter, and smiled when she saw him.
"Oh! Good morning! I hope you slept well! My sister was very worried about you! She said you looked like someone had beaten you up!" Frisk smiled and gently shook his head.
"I got a bit roughed up out in the forest, but it wasn't a fight." She smiled and looked relieved.
"That's good. Sis will be relieved to hear that." Frisk walked up to the counter.
"Thanks. How much do I owe you?" She giggled.
"Oh, you're such a cutie! You don't owe me a thing. It was on the house. If you ever need to come back, I'll give you a deal." Frisk smiled and nodded. Frisk left the inn and went to the shop to thank the shopkeeper. She looked up as he opened the door, and looked happy to see him.
"Oh! Glad to see you up! You look much better." Frisk smiled.
"Yes. Thank you for that." She smiled and waved, as if it was nothing.
"You looked like you were going to fall over. Anybody would've done the same thing." Frisk smiled sadly. How wrong she was. At least as far as humans were concerned. "I'm Alessa, by the way," said the shopkeeper. Frisk smiled and shook her hand.
"Thank you, Alessa. That was very kind of you." She waved again, but he thought she looked a bit embarrassed. "By the way, would you happen to know the way to the library?" he asked. She smiled at him.
"Sure. You go into town, and it's past Grillby's. You can't miss it." Frisk smiled wider at this.
"Thank you, Alessa. If there is ever anything I can do to repay you, just name it." She smiled and giggled a bit.
"Awe, you're sweet. I was just glad to help. You stay safe, now." Frisk nodded and left. He decided to have the cinnamon bun on the way to the library. It was wonderful, sweet and fluffy. He felt worlds better after some sleep and some food. He hadn't realized how tired he was. Then again, it was hard to tell the passage of time down there, without the sun. Even telling directions was difficult at times. Frisk looked up, and smiled when, at long last, he saw the library. As he came close, his smile widened at the misspelled sign of "Librarby". He giggled a bit as he went in.
Inside, the library was warm, cozy and had a gentle, golden light. It happily reminded him of better times. Putting those thoughts aside, Frisk set to the task of searching for any information that could show him where the Mirror of Elde was.
XXX
Hours passed as Frisk searched through the books of the library. While he didn't find much about the Mirror, he did find interesting things about the monsters and humans. Because of the fact that monsters were mostly magic, and humans mostly physical, that accounted for one of many differences. The bodies of monsters would turn to dust when they died, and often, their dust would be scattered on things they loved in life, and their essence was said to live on within that object. Frisk stared at the book for a long time, not reading, but thinking on scattered thoughts and memories brought to the fore by that entry. He gently closed the book, sighed softly, and leaned back in the chair. He was silent and still for a long time, thinking. Frisk finally returned the book to the shelf and left the library.
With that point of interest finally covered, he just stood and thought on what his next action should be. He decided to ask around Snowdin, and see if any of the monsters had heard of the Mirror of Elde. Sadly, most just met him with either confused stares, or asked why he needed a mirror. Frisk couldn't help being a little disappointed, but he wasn't about to quit. He headed out of Snowdin, taking note of a two-story house that had a mailbox overflowing with mail. He shook his head and continued out of Snowdin.
As he walked along the path, next to a river, he noticed how icy it was getting. Icy fog was obscuring his vision. He stopped and looked around, making sure he was still on the right path. When he looked up, he saw a tall figure in the mist.
"Human . . .," said the deep voice of Papyrus. Frisk tensed up a bit, wondering what he was up to now. "I want to talk to you. About the simple joys of life. Such as . . . finding another pasta-lover! The admiration of another's puzzle-solving skills. The desire to have a cool, smart person think you are cool, too. Those feelings you feel, I cannot imagine what it must be like!" Frisk stared at him as he talked. Papyrus struck a dramatic pose. "But fear not! For I, the Great Papyrus, shall be your . . ." He suddenly turned away, looking conflicted. "No! This isn't right! I'm supposed to capture you! Not be your friend! Only then will I be able to fulfill my dream! Powerful! Popular! Prestigious! That will be me! Papyrus, new member of the Royal Guard!" Papyrus turned and got into a fighting stance. Frisk remained calm.
"Is that why you want to fight me?" Frisk asked. "You think, by being a member of the Royal Guard, people will be your friend? No." Papyrus was surprised at this.
"What do you mean?! Of course they will!"
"Will they?" Papyrus was shocked. "Someone pretending to be your friend merely because it's popular, and someone being your friend because they genuinely like you, are two very different things. Believe me, I know." The skeleton looked shocked by his words. Frisk smiled as best he could. "Do you want only false friends, who make fun of you behind your back, will abandon you and sell you out at the first opportunity? Or do you want true friends? The kind who stick with you through thick and thin? The kind who would gladly beat bloody the false friends who hurt you? Ask yourself; what do you desire more? Do you want fame for the sake of a few false, flippant, fair-weather-friends? Or do you want true friends who last a lifetime?" Frisk's words hit harder than any physical attack could ever do.
"Ah, I had . . . never thought of that . . ." Frisk smiled and came closer.
"It's only natural to want to be liked. To be part of a group. But, if you seek fame only for its own sake, it will attract only those who are shallow and cruel. But, if you let the person who you are, your heart, shine forth, then true friends will flock to you on their own. Any fame you gain is just a tiny bonus along a wonderful journey." Papyrus looked genuinely moved by Frisk's words, staring at the ground in thought.
"Human . . . your words. They're the words of . . ." Papyrus looked up at him. ". . . A true friend." Frisk smiled and offered his hand as the mist faded away. Papyrus smiled as he shook Frisk's hand. "I don't want to fight you, human. Any human who speaks as you do, and loves spaghetti and puzzles, cannot possibly be bad!" Frisk smiled at this.
"I don't want to fight you, either. I'd much rather have a friend than an enemy."
"So would I, but now, I will never join the Royal Guard! Undyne will be so disappointed in me!" Frisk frowned gently, scratching his cheek as he tried to think.
"Well, we'll think of something. If she's really your friend, she'll understand." Papyrus perked up at this.
"You're right, human! Undyne taught me everything I know! She would certainly understand!"
"Hey, you two all right?" called a familiar voice. Frisk smiled as Sans walked up.
"Just fine, Sans," said Frisk. Sans grinned.
"Aha! I might have known you had something to do with this!" said Papyrus.
"Maybe," chuckled Sans. Frisk smiled and shook his head.
"Okay you two. I'm not here for any old reason. I'm trying to break the spell and free all of you guys." They both looked genuinely shocked at this. "But, I need your help. Has either of you heard of the Mirror of Elde before?" Papyrus stroked his chin and looked thoughtful.
"Hmm, the name seems familiar, but I can't say that I have. Have you, brother?" Sans scratched his skull.
"Not really. But how could a mirror break the Barrier?" Frisk smiled and shook his head.
"Its magic is far more powerful, but I have to find it, first." Sans looked at him.
"And you're sure it's down here?" Frisk nodded.
"I'm pretty sure. I've felt a great power down here. It has to be the mirror." Papyrus and Sans looked at each other.
"Well, if it is, it's sure a big secret. I've never even heard of it. And if something like that was down here, why didn't anybody use it?" Sans asked. Frisk smiled without humor.
"Because it will only work for humans." They both stared at him. Frisk crossed his arms. "Legends said that it was hidden away in a place where its power could never be used. This would be the best place, if you think about it. If it only works for humans, and was hidden in a place where there are no humans, what better place to hide it?" The two skeletons looked at each other. He did have a good point. Papyrus suddenly held up his hand.
"Ah! That must be it! That must be why King Asgore wants to capture a human! If he captures a human, and has them use the mirror, it would break the Barrier and free us! Yes! That must be it!" Sans rubbed the side of his head, not looking as convinced.
"Maybe, bro. I'm not so sure . . ." Frisk noted his tone, and it felt, to Frisk, like Sans might know a bit more than he let on. He filed it away, but let it go for now.
"Well, since there were no leads on the Mirror in the library, I guess I'll have to look elsewhere," said Frisk, crossing his arms, looking deep in thought. He looked at Sans and Papyrus and smiled. "Thanks for the help, you two." Papyrus grinned.
"Any time! And if you ever need any help, please don't be afraid to ask! Here's my phone number! And . . . if you ever get hungry, I, the Great Papyrus, will gladly cook you as much delicious spaghetti as you could want!" Frisk giggled at his dramatic pose, smiled and took the offered note and number.
"Thanks. I will." Frisk looked as Sans, who had his hands in his pockets, and was grinning. "And thanks for your help, Sans."
"Ah, no problem! And I'll keep an eye socket out for ya!" Frisk nodded, waved, and headed off. Papyrus was too busy waving to notice, but Sans looked a bit worried.
XXX
Frisk followed the path, noticing how things began to thaw, and feel more wet, than cold. He increasingly saw small waterfalls. He stopped and looked around.
"Hmm, must be the watersource for the underground," he mused. He idly wondered of this was the aquifer that the humans above drew their water from. He walked onwards, and found a deep cavern that felt wet from the moisture that was omnipresent. Frisk noted a few monsters in the cavern. He also noted a strange, glowing blue flower. The monster next to it, a orangish, fish-like monster, noticed his gaze.
"This is an Echo Flower. It repeats the last thing it heard, over and over. Pretty neat, huh?" said the monster. Frisk looked at him. He looked at the flower, and, sure enough, as he came closer, it spoke.
"This is an Echo Flower. It repeats the last thing it heard, over and over. Pretty neat, huh?" Frisk blinked, and smiled. It was pretty interesting, and could potentially be useful.
"That is neat. Thanks," said Frisk. The monster nodded. Frisk grinned. Now, he had another potential lead on the Mirror. Maybe someone talked about the Mirror near one of the flowers?
As he was heading out, a familiar voice caught his attention.
"Hey, Buddo!" he stopped, turned, and sure enough, there was Sans, sitting at a guard station. Frisk was going to ask how he got there, but thought better. Sans looked at him and grinned. "So, how's the hunt going?" Frisk shrugged.
"Slow, but steady. I never said it would be easy." Sans nodded.
"So, what'd you think of my brother?" Frisk smiled.
"He's a good guy. He wants to do the right thing, and he has a good heart." Sans seemed pleased with Frisk's words.
"Ya know, he was the one who pushed me to get this sentry job. Maybe it's a little strange, but sometimes it's nice to have someone call you out on being lazy." Frisk smiled softly and nodded.
"It's not strange at all. Sometimes, we cannot see our own faults, and need to have someone else point them out to us." Sans looked at Frisk, and noted how wise those words were, for someone who looked so young.
"Even though nothing could be further from the truth." Frisk smiled wider at that.
"Of course not," said Frisk, smiling. Sans grinned back.
"Cool or not, you gotta admit, Papyrus always tries hard. Like how he keeps trying to be part of the Royal Guard. One day, he went to the house of the head of the Royal Guard, and begged her to let him be in it." Frisk noted that the head of the Royal Guard was a woman, mildly surprised. "Of course, she shut the door on him. Hey, it was Midnight." They both chuckled at this. "But, when she woke up, he was still waiting there. Seeing his dedication, she decided to give him training." Frisk tried not to chuckle again.
"Still working on it, huh?"
"Yeah . . ." Frisk smiled and gently shook his head. "Oh, by the way, I wanted to ask you something," said Sans. Frisk looked at him. "Have you ever heard of a talking flower?" Frisk felt his blood chill. Frisk nodded slowly. "So, you know about it. The Echo Flower. They're all over the marsh. Say something to them, and they'll repeat it over and over." For some reason, this didn't make Frisk feel any better.
"What about them?" Frisk asked. He had a bad feeling.
"Well, Paps said something interesting the other day. Sometimes, when no one else is around, a flower appears and whispers things to him. Flattery, advice, encouragement . . . predictions. Weird, huh?" Frisk felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. That most certainly did not sound like the Echo Flowers. It sounded more like a certain homicidal flower he knew. Frisk tried very hard to hide how unnerved he was.
"Yeah, sure is."
"Somebody must be using an Echo Flower to play a trick on him," said Sans. Frisk nodded, but his gut said otherwise. "So, would ya keep an eye out?" Frisk nodded again. "Thanks, bud." Frisk turned and left, far more troubled.
So, it seemed that Flowey was not confined to the Ruins as he thought. While Frisk could not say he was surprised, it made him wary, wondering just what the maniacal flower was up to. From their very brief interactions, Frisk had his doubts he could end a fight with Flowey peacefully. Frisk thought deeply about this as he walked. If Flowey was influencing others, he doubted any good would come of it. Regardless, Frisk would have to be extra careful. There was no telling what that nasty weed was plotting. He continued onwards, watching very carefully.
The path eventually narrowed to a small, dirt bridge, covered with thick reeds and cattails. The cavern was rather dark, but not completely. There was some light from bioluminescent mushrooms and crystals. Long shadows were cast by the minor light sources. Frisk could see pillars on the far side of the water, looking like the remains of a Greek temple. Frisk turned back to the weeds, and headed in, moving slowly and carefully, in case there was anything lurking in the weeds. He slowly made his way into the weeds, and was, perhaps halfway across, when he heard voices.
"H-hi, Undyne! I'm here with my daily report." Frisk recognized Papyrus' voice. Frisk carefully and slowly made his way to the edge of the path, and peeked between a pair of cattails, but remained hidden in the weeds. He could see Papyrus, almost hidden by the shadows, across the cavern. He also saw another figure. One clad in full plate armor. Frisk tensed up. He could hear a voice, but it was too distant, and with the noise of the water, he couldn't make out what they were saying. Papyrus, though, with his deep voice, was much easier to hear. "Uh, about the human I called you about earlier," Frisk strained to hear, but Papyrus had lowered his voice. Frisk could hear another voice, but, again, he couldn't make out what they were saying. The armored figure turned to Papyrus. "Huh? Did I fight them? Y-yes! Of course I did! I fought them valiantly! What? Did I capture them? W-w-well, that is, uh . . ." Frisk was tense as a bowstring.
He could hardly believe it, but also wasn't surprised. Papyrus was selling him out. While Frisk felt some hurt, he could understand. "No. I tried very hard, Undyne, but in the end . . . I failed." Frisk was sure he heard a hiss from the armored figure. Undyne turned to Papyrus and said something. Even from where he was, he could see Papyrus looked shocked. "Wh-what?! You're going to take the human's soul yourself?!" Frisk froze, and watched. He was surprised when Papyrus approached her. "B-but Undyne! You don't have to destroy them! You see . . ." Undyne turned and seemed to glare at him. Frisk thought for sure he saw a flash of light from the visor of the helmet. There were more words he couldn't hear, more of that hissed tone. Papyrus backed away, looking frightened. " . . . I understand. I'll help you any way I can." With that, Papyrus hurried away. Frisk frowned deeply. Things were making much more sense. Frisk moved to leave, the weeds rustling.
Reacting to the sound, Undyne whirled, a glowing blue spear materializing in her hand. Frisk froze, staying still as stone. He watched between the weeds as Undyne looked back and forth, waiting for a repeat of movement. When there was no further noise, or movement, Undyne's spear faded and she stepped back into the shadows and vanished. Frisk sighed with relief. While Papyrus and the other monsters didn't want to fight, and the few that did were no effort at all to avoid or run from, Undyne looked like she would be immensely tough, and hard to beat.
"Yo! Didja see the way she was staring at you?!" Frisk jumped at the voice right next to him, dashed out of the reeds, and was surprised when a small monster came out after him, jumping around and looking excited. This one looked like a yellowish lizard with horns and no arms. If the voice was anything to go by, it was clearly a child. "That was so awesome! I'm sooo jealous! What'd you do to get her attention, yo?" Frisk sighed and wilted a bit.
"Uh, I don't think she really saw me," Frisk replied. The monster kid jumped up and down.
"C'mon, dude! Let's go watch her beat up some bad guys!" Frisk watched as the monster kid began to run off, tripped and fell flat on his face, only to lift himself up and run on as if nothing happened. A feeling of dread hung over Frisk. He sighed, clenched his fists, and headed further into the underground, his Determination never wavering.
Author's note: I have some artwork to go with this. Check out my DeviantArt account to see!