A reminder that there is a Very important Author's Note at the end of this chapter. If you've been enjoying the story... I have some good news for you.
Toby Fox owns Undertale and all associated characters. However, The Defiler is mine.
The grey infinity that was the border between dimensions. If one could stand here, they would see countless pinpricks of light, each one signifying a different reality. Everything that ever is, was, and could be, separated by a grey barrier.
Despite the tiny beacons, there was nothing but shifting, formless grey. One unused to such a sight would quickly become disoriented and confused as their brain sent them conflicting messages.
Two figures faced each other in the Place Between. Both were very well acquainted with this place, though only one of them had existed before it.
Two figures, both robed in black. One wearing a mask of gold shaped like a human face, with glowing orange light blazing from the eye sockets. The other masked in white, long cracks extending from each eye-hole. One up, the other down.
The Defiler was the first to break the silence.
"I know what you are. A ghost in the machine. Static drifting between the cracks in reality.
The other's voice was quiet, but The Defiler had no difficulty hearing him.
"And you are the essence of the leader of The Exiled. All reality shook when you fell."
Despite his face being masked, one could easily imagine a grin spreading over The Defiler's features.
"I had not thought we would meet again, Gaster."
Gaster was silent, and The Defiler gestured towards the pinprick of light behind the other.
"I must admit I was surprised. I did not think any of the creations of my oh-so-noble brethren still existed after they abandoned the reality they created. Certainly not in some backwater dimension on the edge of the Vortex." The gold-masked man leaned forward. "I wonder, were you ordered to guard that world? Or were you abandoned here when your strings were cut?"
"It makes no difference, does it? Regardless of my reasons, I will protect that world, even if it means defying you."
"It hurts, doesn't it?" The Defiler murmured. "Knowing that you were tossed to the side like so much trash. You were once mighty, Gaster. Now look at you. You barely hold the power to leave this place, let alone interact with that which you so dearly wish to protect. What happened to cause that, I wonder?"
"Do not think you can corrupt me, Broken One." Gaster's voice was firm. "I will not succumb to you, not now, not ever."
"I suppose not. You ever were stubborn when you cared about something. I knew the small skeleton's power seemed familiar. You once did more than simply observe this world, didn't you?"
The Defiler laughed, and despite the malice held within it, Gaster stood firm. Then, the man reached out a hand, conjuring his staff into it, and extended it tentatively towards Gaster. The staff almost immediately hit an invisible wall of force, halting its progress. He let out an unamused grunt.
"You would keep me from your world."
Gaster nodded.
The Defiler sighed, then turned, letting his gaze travel over the infinity surrounding them.
"There was a time when all this was mine." There was anger in his voice, and also a hint of longing. "I created, and destroyed what I saw fit. Reality existed only to be my plaything."
"Your arrogance was ever your downfall." Gaster intoned behind him. The Defiler let out a chuckle, then turned back to face the other man.
"I suppose I should thank you." The god-like being looked to the dimension Gaster was protecting. He could see the mortals down there, scurrying about like ants. Feeling oh so safe in their tiny world in an infinity of possibility. Then he looked back to Gaster.
"There was a time when, as soon as I had found my fragment, I would have immediately taken it, and wiped the world clean afterwards. Instead, I allowed the denizens to fight back, and allowed myself to be weakened to the point where even you in your shattered state could affect me. It seems I have grown… complacent."
Gaster said nothing and The Defiler continued.
"Those Hunters that have troubled me for so long. Had I truly wished it, they would be nothing more than a memory. Perhaps it is time I took things seriously again." His eyes blazed into an inferno.
"I will allow you and your realm to exist for a while longer, Gaster. But I will return for my fragment. And when I do…" He took a step closer.
"I will shatter your pathetic barrier and force you to watch while I expunge this world before killing you myself."
The Defiler made a gesture with one hand, and a black portal opened up behind him. Then he turned and disappeared through it, the walls closing behind him.
Long after the dark being he had once called "Master" had left, Gaster remained, still staring at the spot where he had gone. Finally, he murmured softly;
"I was not abandoned, old friend. Whatever you believe, the First have not yet given up on their creation." He raised his head and looked upwards, a smile spreading across his face.
"They are coming for you."
Author's Note: This is the end of Souls Entwined, but I am by no means done with Undertale stuff yet. I have a lot of stuff planned to continue on this particular journey, and I mean a lot.
Edit: The next story is already up, called Armless Embrace. It's a series of shorts and one-shots taking place two years after the end of this story. Feel free to check it out, and I hope you enjoy!
Thank you all so much for your views, favorites, follows and reviews. I really did not expect the amount of positivity I have gotten here, and I'm very grateful for it. If everything goes according to plan, I will be supplying you all with Undertale stuff for a long time to come. THanks again, and I hope to see you again when Armless Embrace goes up!