Ribbon finally wrapped on a ghastly arm and a back of flesh and bones, the duo went for more monster pacification. The Child learned to ACT properly, listening to a bored Fallen, who laughed at the Child trying to reason a rock to clear a spike puzzle. The mute human sighed heavily at the very capricious stone, and it took three interactions to place her correctly. They met Nooxes who was pleased not to be picked on and smiled rather than fought. That reminded the duo of the frail bond they had so far, that of abused children that fled their kin.
The Child never made it unscathed in any of those fights, although they got better at avoiding monster attacks. They never attacked once and were on multiple instances on the verge of defeat, but some knife of some sort appeared out of nowhere and intervened. A clean and precise strike, nothing fancy really. It had so much killing intent it frightened the child at times. That happened enough times for the Human to understand that their ethereal company was well trained, but most importantly caring about - and too stubborn to admit it. That was until they took the knife hit, covering for the monster, and somehow disappeared in the dark. There, the child felt their SOUL break in two but had recovered somehow. The reason for their struggle was a monster child, clothed similarly to the ghost that guided them. The apparition smiled and urged them to hold on.
The Fallen recovered from their sudden frenzy, the more they killed the easier was for them to be overtaken. They realized later they had sliced the child, which for once in so long, hurt them a lot more than expected.
"It was about time that one died, now me, go fetch that SOU-" but the Fallen pushed their twisted half while crying their heart out.
"Silence! Back to the hole from where you came, you monster" They shouted again in the empty ruins, scaring monsters nearby with deadly crimson eyes. The dark SOUL lightened a bit but whispered to a tearing Fallen.
"Hm? Emotional? Yuck, I cannot really stay awake if you keep weeping. I'll be back soon enough, remember who the monster is." while a loud cackling faded away slowly.
"Child ... why did you ..." as the Fallen was about to collapse on the monochrome floor, and succumb again to the dark SOUL they carried in a feat of rage when they felt the Child's body was a couple of rooms before and hurried up there. They found him there brought anew. Though he failed to understand what on earth made it possible, he was glad he did not lose the Child - and carefully cleared that thought out of his head. They checked upon the child's body and were relieved they were not critically wounded. They placed the child's head on their lap on instinct, as weird as that may be, and felt their SOUL warming at the touch :
"I wonder how did you not die to my trusty weapon" while giggling at the groggy and visibly tired child.
"Very funny, I really thought I died you know." while faking a punch they could not see through towards their murderer's cheek.
"You did not have to take that hit, and you would have died to the monster anyways, but ... sorry I killed you?" as they smiled sheepishly at their victim.
"Right, you are." rolling eyes they barely opened.
"Child, you should rest a bit before we continue."
"Yes I do, thanks to your very effective training -"
" ... and make way so I can hit them when you are almost dead, after all, you want to go home right?"
The child pondered those words before answering:
"What would ever want there if not more misery?"
The Fallen glared at the Child uttering those words and remembered their own trauma at home, clenched their fist, and covered their face. They were both holding their tears fighting their evergrowing hatred once more and were about to give in to images of abuse when their fist was held by small hands.
"Chara"
"Child, when did you -"
"When I hugged you, and when I was dead, I saw some fluffy monster boy calling me that, but it looked like it was yours."
"... I have not been called by this name in ages ..." whispered Chara while they saw their SOUL glow once more, brighter than usual. They spoke quietly:
" Thank you ... your name?"
"Frisk !" beamed the pale Child while they went for a hug they could not execute well enough this time.
"Well, Frisk, nice to meet you. I would like you to stop hugging me though, I hate to be touch-"
Frisk collapsed again, from sleep thankfully, Chara was thus obliged - and grumped profusely about it - to take them away from further harm. They felt a warm soul soothing their own, and though disgusted at the touch, were pleased by those feelings they thought extinct.