CharaFell Chapter 43, an undertale fanfic

The chill of the air was something that wasn't altogether pleasant when one stood in it this long. Or traversed it, not that it had, in itself been 'that long.' More that it simply felt that way at times.

Following their guide through a variety of spaces, they were now heading down a long stretch of space that opened to another clearing. This one with marks in the snow, suggesting people had sat there for a while. Frisk observing something in the snow.

As the others continue on, she lingered there. Feeling the cold, in the breeze, as she knelt down. Grasping at sort of figurine.

It was a warrior, of some kind. Wearing a dark cloak, and a golden flower. A monster that, in itself felt familiar. Standing upright, she looked it over in her hands, wondering why it made her feel sick to her stomach.

Frisk obtained |Prince's Figurine|

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A voice spoke. "Hey, are you okay?"

Frisk found Suzy looking at her. "Yeah." She put the figurine away. "Just enjoying the cold."

"Really?" Suzy asked, confused, as Frisk wandered over to her. "You like the cold?"

The Human replied. "Yes."

The duo continued on, catching up with Noelle, who had paused for a moment. And then to their guide, who had continued forward. Slowing enough that they could catch up. Leading them to the next little area, which had a most peculiar sight.

Noelle asked. "Hey, wolf-dude...why's'ere a microwave?" She pointed. "In the snow. Like...what?"

Wolfo paused beside it, and sighed. "My boss likes to cook out here sometimes." He placed the lantern on a clip on his belt. "And by cook, I mean reheat whatever he made at home that day."

Suzy asked. "Is it...go-er-nice?"

"Debatable." Wolfo replied, adding. "It always smells nice, but it's usually pretty far from edible."

Noelle hummed, and asked. "Wait, he gives you guys free food, why?"

"It's less give, and more like he forces it on us from time to time." Wolfo chuckled. "Though...honestly I think he's tryin to be nice. Money's...pretty scarce these days." He admitted. "It's just, today was the first time it didn't taste like licking a piece of charcoal."

"That's bad?" Suzy asked quietly.

Frisk pat her on the shoulder. "Yes."

"Oh." Suzy glanced away, nervously.

This earned a small chuckle from their guard, as they went through, and then down once more. The group eventually coming to spikes of some kind. Wolfo nearly wandering into them, before stopping. The path forward was blocked, inaccessible. Frisk noticing a shining light nearby, saving.

"Shit.," Wolfo sighed. "Tell ya what. I'll wait here. You kids head back up the path but hook a right instead of a left. There's a hidden switch in the snow."

Noelle asked. "Shouldn't...you go get it?"

"It takes me hours to find the stupid thing. It's why I usually leave this down." The wolf remarked, taking a seat. "Don't worry, I won't go anywhere. So, just go throw it, and hurry back. Easy."

Suzy asked nervously. "What if something happens?"

"Then you yell, and I'll come runnin, deal?" He considered something. "In fact, here-" He held out the lantern. "this should help you see easier in the dark."

Frisk acquired a lantern. "Thank you, I guess..we'll be right back."

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Frisk acquired a lantern. "Thank you. We'll...be right back."

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The lantern was held out, and the human stared at it for a moment. Both eyes open, examining the flame. Breath visible against the cold in the air, heated.

Frisk acquired the lantern. "We'll be back."

With that, she turned and started to walk off. Her steps crunched snow beneath them, moving quicker than usual. The odd pace prompting her friends to jog along, to keep up with her.

Noelle noticed that Frisk moved with a sort of certainty. Seeming to know exactly where to go. With both eyes opened, glancing around now and then. The deer wondered if she'd seen something again, and prepared herself mentally for some kind of fight.

The trinity turned the corner, and walked to the center of the clearing. The human held out the lantern, illuminating the snow. The light cast from the flame reflected against the surface of a metal object. She knelt down, and grabbed the object, attempting to pull it, before visibly having some difficulty.

"What's the hold up?" Noelle asked.

Suzy stepped nearer, and commented. "It's stuck, I think."

Frisk muttered. "So it is. Odd...could I...I need help."

The deer girl chuckled a bit, while walking over. Crouching down, she grabbed the lever, and attempted to pull on it. Only to discover, it wouldn't budge.

She huffed. "What the hell?" She tried to yank with Frisks help. "G-geeze...h-hey, pull harder dumbass!"

Suzy scanned it and suggested. "Why don't we all try together?"

The others ignored her while struggling. The dinosaur girl sighing, as she reached down to assist them. Taking a second to get on either side of it. They began to pull. The lever resisting some, beginning to creak.

It clicked, and groaned, before suddenly giving. Causing the trio to stumble back as it went. A loud snapping noise filling the air, as it broke. Noelle landed in the snow, and examined the long piece of metal in her hand.

She grinned a bit. "I uh, think we got it."

Frisk laid flat in the snow. "I didn't...expect that."

Suzy shook herself off. "W-we also...broke it. Do you think he's gonna be upset?"

Noelle scoffed, getting back to her feet. "Who cares?" Suzy gave her a look. "I-I just mean, like. If he wanted it, like, not broken, he should have done it himself...is all." She added. "Plus, I can totally use this instead of the stick."

Noelle swung the metal pipe around, grinning a bit at her new acquisition. Suzy turned her focus to Frisk, still laying in the snow. Stepping over she offered a hand, which was taken. The human lifted from the frost, their eyes meeting.

Suzy observed. "You...huh, your eyes are really red."

Frisk looked annoyed. "It's just how they are."

Noelle snickered, and said. "Geeze Suzy. You can't just go pointing out peoples eye colors like that. Wow, how rude."

Suzy let out a sound of surprise. "W-was it rude?" She frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to be rude. It's a nice color?"

There was a faint sound, that prompted Frisk to turn. Drawing the toy knife from her 'dresses' pocket. The sharpened thing held in her main hand, just out of sight of the two.

Frisk whispered. "We're not alone."

"Huh?" Suzy tilted her head.

Noelle asked. "What's going...on?"

The hair on the back of her neck rose, prompting the deer to tense. The trinity having turned to face the path. The lanterns flickering light illuminating something, standing there, on the edge of the light.

A figure stood there, a bit taller than they were, with a face devoid of characteristics. Wearing a grey and white shirt, and black pants. In many ways being 'similar' in fashion to the human.

There was a silence that washed over the area, only intruded upon by the wind. Steadily rising, into a slow, low sort of howl. The snow rising, cast towards them. The eyeless dead stare of this strange being seemed to shift some, looking between them.

Steeling her resolve, Suzy greeted. "H-hi...uhm, can we help you?"

Whispers spoke. "And yet, you persevere." From the darkness, a shiver ran down their spines. "No...that's the other. Your eyes are full of DETERMINATION, instead."

Noelle gripped the metal pipe. "Are you...talking about Toriels kid?"

The strange creature tilted its head. "Two pawns, race across the board."

Suzy hesitantly asked. "What...what does that mean?"

The creature was silent, the whispers speaking. "I wonder how it ends?"

The world became black and red, doing so with a sudden shift. The temperature seemed to plummet, causing the trinity to hurry to one another's side. The wind was howling, and there was a scent of bleach in the air. Whispers coming from the spaces in the dark, from the two shadows cast in the clearing.

A discarded pawn stood in the way. A shimmering dull color shining before it, manifesting in the silhouette of a soul. An empty vessel.

Frisks soul shined, manifesting before her in contrast. Piercing red, matching her steely gaze focused on the enemy. A tense expression she couldn't hide on her face.

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The whisper spoke. "Do you talk to yourself often?" Frisk tensed at this comment. "Just give in...you can't win."

Noelle huffed. "What's your problem creep?"

The Vessel didn't respond.

Suzy tried to think of something to say. "W-we don't have to fight, you know?"

It glanced at Suzy but said nothing. There was no way out of this. Only, the FIGHT.

|Fight| - |Act| - |Items| - |Mercy|

|ACT|

|Check| - |Flirt| - |Gift| - |Talk|

Frisk decided to check.

Noelle elected to attack.

Suzy tried to talk.

Frisk attempted to check The Vessel. A message spread across the empty space before her eyes. It wasn't quite what she expected. - "The Second Vessel. Memory makes a person, but this one received none." - Frisk felt confused reading this.

Her compatriot didn't hesitate, Noelle dashing across the snow, spurs jangling as she swung the metal pipe. The Vessel leaning back at the last second, avoiding the strike, much to her surprise.

Suzy tried to talk to the Vessel. "W-why are we fighting?" She asked in alarm. "What do you want?"

The whispers replied. "It feels nothing. It wants nothing." The Vessel shook some. "Aside from watching you die." - Suzy shook in fear, her attack and defense lowering.

|2nd Vessel - ?/? HP|

|Proceed| - |Proceed| - |Proceed| - |Proceed|

Vessel Proceeded.

The Vessel had weaved back from the attack, making a motion. Something similar to a pencil drawn from its pocket, shifting suddenly, and violently into a damaged looking sword, drawn from the dark. It slashed back at Noelle, who let out a yelp while being pulled back.

Frisk yanked her companion away from the first strike, the Vessel swinging the weapon into the ground. There was a sudden surge, like an oozing black liquid through the snow. The human pushing Noelle away, while narrowly side-stepping a sudden eruption of ink laden ice.

A second bit of rushing dark began to erupt near Suzy, who felt compelled to dive to the side. Doing so, avoiding a series of impalements intended for her person. Landing, and then scrambling up from the snow. Being pulled up by Noelle quickly, as the attack came to an end.

|Fight| - |Act| - |Items| - |Mercy|

|ACT|

Frisk tried to talk.

Noelle tried to attack.

Suzy used |ACT|

|S-Action| - |Plead| - |Gift| - |Talk| - |

Suzy tried to plead.

Frisk felt her frustration rising, crimson eyes glaring at the creature. "Do you think killing us will help you feel something?" She asked. "It won't."

The whispers responded from all around the trinity. "Is that personal experience?" - Noelle, and Suzy were unnerved, defense lowered.

Noelle swung the pipe with a quick dash, while it was stopped. The weapon connected, and sent the creature reeling, spinning before standing back upright. It took no damage. - Noelle felt intimidated, defense lowered.

Suzy spoke. "I-if you're wanting to feel something...maybe you could try and find a friend?" She asked nervously. "I've hurt before, b-but they help me feel better. T-they could help you to?"

The Whispers responded, as the Vessel glanced at her. "There is nothing to feel."

|2nd Vessel - ?/? HP|

|Proceed| - |Proceed| - |Proceed| - |Proceed|

Vessel Proceeded.

The whispers spoke. "Come along with me." It offered its hand. "And let go."

Withing the shadows something seemed to blend, and bleed into reality. The trinity observing the space above them, glitching, seeming to solidify, folding, molding. It was as if they were in a box.

The Vessel slashed with the sword, prompting Noelle to dodge back. Only for an oozing black substance to splash down from above, nearly hitting her. It singed and burned at the ground. Frisk pushing to the side to avoid it as it went, Suzy letting out a yelp as she tried to outrun the falling ooze.

Noelle side-stepped it once, only to be hit by another. Letting out a sound of pain as it burned at her, scorching despite the covering of her outfit. The deer working harder to avoid the rest as it splashed, and pooled, forcing the trinity into different spaces to avoid it.

"Did you think that was it?" The Whispers asked.

The Vessel gripped their empty soul, and it began to crack, and shake. Something burst from it, rising up and out, as a sort of phantom hand. The center bearing a hole in it, which flashed blue.

Frisk noticed her companions starting to move, her eyes steaming with crimson, soul shining bright. A wave of sensation commanded they be still, as they found themselves compelled not to move. An explosive blast of blue light consuming the space, burning away at the entrapping darkness. The attack seeming to end.

Suzy called out. "Noelle, are you okay?"

Noelle growled. "Fine."

|Fight| - |Act| - |Items| - |Mercy|

|Fight|

Frisk decided to fight.

Noelle continued to attack

Suzy used |ACT|

|S-Action| - |Plead| - |Gift| - |Talk| - | |

The purple girl began to panic. She wasn't sure what to do. She didn't want to fight, didn't wany anyone to get hurt. There was however, an option remaining. So, she decided upon it.

Suzy decided to Gift.

Patience worn out, Frisk rushed the foe, weaving around the dark puddles. Her eye briefly flashing, timing the strike. The sharpened plastic knife drawing across its face. Slicing into it, as she moved past it.

As this happened, it had turned, only to be hit coming from the other direction by Noelles pipe. Making it reel back again, growing nearer towards the edge of the cliff. Though, her hit didn't seem to do any damage.

The prior however, did, The Vessels face seeming to distort some, the slashed area taking shape. Threads of flesh severing, and snapping along the sliced area, where an eye would be. There was something below however, a pale eye, bleeding black, for a moment before healing.

Then, the world seemed to grow still for a moment. Everything becoming darker than usual. The Vessels focus, and visible eye now focused on Suzy.

She said. "I-I..."

A voice whispered to her. "A gift...of what?"

"U-uhm." Suzy wasn't certain.

"What is your favorite food?" The whispers asked, a feeling seizing the back of the girls mind.

Suzy responded. "Sweet things. Like...candy."

There was a peculiar sensation, as if she had just lost something. The vessels eye obtaining a flicker of color. As it tilted its head.

Suzy could remember in that moment, something important. It was a day with her family. They were getting candy. It was such a nice day.

Bit by bit, their faces became faded. Their names becoming distant. And then, she couldn't recall what it was she had just forgotten.

The Whispers spoke. "Memories make the person. If you have none, are you real?" Another asking. "If something empty, gains them. Is it real?"

Color began to restore, as everything began to catch back up. The Vessel shifting some, as it stepped back. Observing the trinity, it stood by the edge. The being examining its hand for a moment, before stepping backwards.

Suzy called out. "W-wait!"

It fell backwards over the cliff, the darkness fading. Both Noelle, and Frisk looking shocked at the action. Suzy racing over, sliding up to the edge. Peering down over the sides, she saw nothing, but the darkness and cliffs below.

Noelle looked over. "W-wait why did...where'd it go?"

Suzy called out. "Hello?" Gaining no response, she teared up. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't...I didn't mean to...I-I didn't-"

Frisk glanced at Suzy. "Suzy...what did you do?"

"I don't know." Suzy admitted nervously.

Noelle huffed some, and said. "She didn't do anything. We're the ones who hit it over the edge. Not you." Suzy looked up, at her, with a worried expression. "Besides it uh...well, they probably, I dunno, used magic to teleport or something?"

Suzy asked. "Are...d-do you think so?"

Frisk glanced around. "Well, they didn't leave a body, or dust. So...they did something." She muttered, sounding on edge. "Went...somewhere..."

Suzy smiled, shaking some. "H-hopefully, they went home?" She offered. "I don't think they're doing okay." She noted, getting a glance from the other two. "They seemed troubled, and angry."

Noelle offered her hand and helped Suzy up. "I mean, it decided to kill us, just cuz. Rambled about nothing. Then dove off a cliff." She said, voice full of snark. "Troubled is like...a real nice way to view it."

Frisk shook herself from her own thoughts. "Regardless, we shouldn't linger here." She recaptured their attention. "Let's go meet up with Wolfo. It's...probably safer anyways."

Suzy remarked. "That sounds nice." Laughing nervously. "Maybe uhm, Chara is there, and we can get here and go back to Toriels?" She suggested. "To a nice fluffy bed, or a really cozy trash can at least."

Noelle frowned at that. "You're not...gonna sleep in a trash can."

"They're not so bad." Suzy assured.

"Not...happening." The reindeer girl huffed, asking. "Right Frisk?"

Frisk examined them, smiling. "I dunno, trash cans are pretty cool." Noelle didn't appear amused. "I just mean, I've slept in worst places. That's uh, that's some five-star accommodation right there."

The Deer rolled her eyes, though Suzy appeared to appreciate the joke, snickering. Without more delay, the group starting back towards Wolfo. The walk was tense, despite everyone trying to put on their best face. Nobody really quite sure what exactly happened.

Frisk reminded her friends. "He doesn't exactly have the best eyesight. So, maybe he didn't see anything."

Noelle huffed. "He's got ears ain't he?"

Suzy asked. "Shouldn't we be...following?"

"Yeah, yeah." Noelle muttered, adding. "Lazy guard."

The conversation was shelved as they hurried after their guide. It wasn't being very productive. Notably, as they walked, Noelle made a point to be nearer to the other two. Lingering between them, while glancing around now and then.

Frisk had moments of jumping at shadows or tensing from small noises. Suzy largely just being a bit quieter than before. The trinity loath to admit their own newfound hesitations. After a minute walking, Wolfo brandished a sword at some sort of large cube of ice along their path.

Wolfo spoke. "What'cha doing there Icy?"

The Ice Cube responded. "Thinking about my life." It then added. "Like...what's even the point sometimes? Have I really been going about things this wrong? Is it my friends? Is it me?" It added. "I dunno. Can we know? Maybe it's a mixture of things that go into our present? Something innate, and something experienced, cultivated, inspired to occur?"

The girls looked confused, and Wolfo just blinked slowly. "Yeah that's...something fella. Uh, you should skedaddle along home. It's late." He said. "Go on now."

"Yeah. When you think about it, is anyplace really home?" The Ice asked starting to glide away. "If another being can take it from you. It's not a home. If the space within is not designed by you in some fashion, but instead controlled by outside forces, is it your space?"

"Uh huh. Uhm...sure man whatever." Wolfo shooed, as the Ice Cube slid away.

Suzy asked. "What was that person talking about?"

"I have no fuckin idea." Wolfo admitted, adding. "Come on."

It wasn't too much longer after this until they actually got to their destination. Snowdinn, or Snowdin. The sign appeared to say the former, but somehow that felt wrong to Frisk. Like it'd make more sense for a building, than a town.

Either case, they only had to make a few random stops so their guide could check his directions. Now that they were here, it was quite a sight. A strangely expansive town, built into the forest. Like a small city, in terms of how densely packed it was.

There was a tall building, made up of stacked buildings of disparate kinds. That was present on one side of the town. There were a few more of these smaller pseudo-apartments around. One seemingly made of cargo containers, the kinds that were on ships. Another out of trailers, and rv like things.

Despite the lights that glimmered throughout, most of Snowdinn was dark, very dark. The group hesitating at the lack of light. The various alleyways, and off the route paths.

Noelle commented. "Well this is...uh, something."

Wolfo commented, while taking a step forward. "Okay, well. Congratz. You kids are back." He then motioned. "Hopefully you remember where your home is. Cuz, I ain't walkin you all the way there."

Suzy asked. "Is there...maybe a place we could uhm...stay, if we can't?"

"Not really. I mean the Inn. But you'd need money." Wolfo said, stretching out. "Either case. I'm headin to Grillby's. I need a drink. Find your ways home, okay?"

Frisk promptly said. "Thank you. Have a nice night."

"Yeah. You two brats." He gave a slight smirk, while starting on. "Hey, if you see my boss around at some point. You let him know I did uh, community service. Get me a raise."

Noelle replied. "Sure. If we get a cut."

The guard simply rolled his eyes and continued on. The trinity there in the dark, in the middle of the central street. With no good direction of where they might go from here.

Suzy asked the question. "So...where do we go now?"

Frisk suggested. "Simple. We look around. She's probably here somewhere, right?"

"We can't get inside all the houses though." Suzy noted.

Noelle grinned. "Sure we can. Just have to uh...improvise."

"Noelle. We're not breaking into peoples homes!" Suzy replied with a huff.

Frisk rolled her eyes. "Just calm down. If she's here. She's probably outside somewhere. She wouldn't know anyone here either, right?" The other two shrugged. "So, if we can't find her, then we just continue on. Means she probably continued down the main road. Easy."

"But I'm tired." Suzy pouted.

"If we can't find her, we'll rest soon." Frisk offered. "Good?"

"Hmmm...okay." Suzy sighed.

With a pat on the shoulder for Suzy, the group set about their search. Unaware of events transpiring beyond them.