Having had enough fluff for a lifetime, and feeling pretty weird about it, The Fallen Child slipped away from the Human's embrace and was gone back to being a ghost. Their seemingly dead SOUL pulsed with a tiny *thump* again before fading to black. Regret was on Chara's face who, as heartless as they can be, missed that modicum of emotion finding a SOUL that matched theirs triggered.

The Child eyed the ghost once more in thought, having shed enough tears to paint their eyes red. They had to move on, being unfamiliar with wherever they were and noticed an arch in yet another pale purple alley that stretched down. The First decided on their own to tag along, without much consent from the now happy-looking Eighth child, having eyed some candy on a pedestal.

"You shouldn't really take more than one, you know?"

"Never wanted more, I am not much of a sweet tooth."

"I'd love to take one, but I am not sure if I can - Child, you will have to touch me, but beware ..."

Giggles were heard but met with crimson eyes and a creepy smile that was enough of a warning. The Child then held the Fallen by their sweater so they can let them have a piece of candy.

"As good as they were in the past ... you should try those."

"I would like to save it for later, you should have some more if you would like -"

The Fallen had already taken their second piece without prior discussion and glared at the child's hand to be released from their tiny grasp. The child then noticed some leaf piles and started playing there much to the dismay of the Fallen who was more of an ... adult. The Child had played around enough already.

"Look, I would hate to pick on you, but we have to catch up to Mother now."

"Are we not supposed to wait for her to come back?"

"Knowing how she is, we should press on."

The Child trusted their ghastly acquaintance knew more about the motherly Guardian than they do and were thus on the move once again. Playing on the leaves and having some conversation with their reluctant "companion" fill them with what they labeled "Determination" to continue. It sounded powerful and obscure enough to qualify that sensation and that was enough of a label for them. Their heart glowed and flashed at them mentioning that name before reverting to its innate red color. The Fallen eyed the child's SOUL and was once again convinced he was right about tagging along with this human, having ascertained they were alike.

They met a few monsters along the way: monsters disguised in blushy frogs called Froggits; whimsical and cowardly insects named Whimsuns, and flirting mold-like monsters the Fallen said were Moldsmals. All of their attacks were predictable, and although the Child had some trouble dodging everything, they escaped battle mode safely without killing anyone.

The Fallen thought them about their weaknesses, some were quirky but made sense somehow. The Child had fun complimenting Froggits, and feared those occasional Migosps that spouted cockroaches, but was relieved one those decided to happily dance when left alone. They ached a bit each time they met a Whimsun, poor thing get scared every single time. The Fallen giggled at the Child doing their bidding, and raised eyebrows at the frowning child as if they were defying them :

"Would you like to be monster food?"

"I'd like you to stop mocking them, or me, it is sad those monsters get frightened"

"No worries, I just ..." The Fallen suddenly melted their face, crimson eyes lost in an oozing back tar. The Child froze in place, they never saw something that scary. Face back to shape they carried on :

"See? Those monsters only need a little scare to flee, and they have not much fight in them"

"I can't let you pick on them nonetheless, it is really bad."

"What do we have here? Are you perhaps taking their side"

"I ... I do not wish to fight them ... unless I have to!"

"Interesting, very ... interesting. Now follow me, there is still much walking to do before we reach Mother's house."

Guiding them through the puzzles, The Fallen watched them fall into unknown rooms and fail at solving the occasional puzzle. Magenta rooms had their fair share of levers, buttons, and traps which the child blindly triggered without much thought, making the fallen sigh at their wit. They reluctantly showed them the way and had them bite some carrot monster, truthfully labeled as Vegetoid, that was happy to oblige. The Child recovered back some strength, having taken some sparse blows. They also tried to wrap around a red ribbon they found there, but have shown their scarred bandaged back to the Fallen. The ghost was taken aback a little, having noticed old bruises and scars between the rugged piece of cloth that patched up this child's back :

"Child."

"Yes?"

"Your back is full of scars and bruises."

"I had my share of falling into traps, and down the mountain."

"Cut the crap, I am talking about those you had seemingly before ever setting foot here !"

"Those ... I cannot talk about ..."

"I'll show you something, now come hold that sweater like the diligent follower you are."

The Child obliged, holding the Fallen green cloth. They showed them cuts and bruises all over their now nude arms but rapidly escaped back to being a ghost.

"I ... I never knew you were bullied like me ..."

"Child. I did the cutting, bruises were stupid adults venting their anger on me - and I was the bully at school, to make sure you know who you are talking to." while creeping that oozing smile at the last bit of them speaking.

They got suddenly hugged again, tighter than usual. The child shared their newfound ribbon and wrapped the Fallen's arm. They surely had to try several times before covering the scarred arm, as the Fallen hated both the touch and the gesture.

"Patience ..."

"Huh?"

"Nothing, child, just being patient with your hugging antics."