Chapter 3: The Glitched Path

Author's Note: One more before the end of the year. Whew, after a long period of waiting because of school (as of time frame of this is posted) I am glad to give you all dear readers another chapter to this story. Sorry for the wait though, it wasn't easy but I managed to squeek this out. Regardless I hope you enjoy what I written down. This is TheFoolOfThenNoon signing off!

/

Passing through the previous locked door. The trio made their way through into a new area. A bizarre burlap and haphazardly stitched building stood in front of them with a 'SHOP' sign. This invoked some questions of curiosity from SOUL to which Kris shared the feelings as they stepped onwards. Behind the stoic boy though, a one-sided conversation was taking place between Ralsei and Susie. Judging by the yawn from the large purple dino monster, its going as well as he would expect. Ending with Ralsei scratching his head in slight frustration.

"Um…we might have to WARN enemies about her Kris…" He whispered. Kris did not respond but rather roll his eyes.

Entering the strange building, they came across an even stranger occupant. A shop keeper that seems to resemble a raggedy cat plush. With a button eyepatch and slightly stitched mouth. Despite the creepy appearance he invited the trio in. His voice no different from an elderly man. He introduced himself as Seam, pronounced Shawm, and this is his little 'Seap'. SOUL wondered if this was a language thing. The raggedy cat briefly explained he collected odds and ends as a hobby. It was simply to pass the time and finding way to pass time is something you learn to do as he would explain. It was either that or go mad

"He he he…idle hands are the devil's playthings. That's an old lightner saying I heard before," he made a small smile as the group pondered at his words.

"You worried your hands gonna come of or something?" Susie snidely remarked. The cat's smile faded, and he simply raised a brow.

"Kid, sounds like you had too much spare time yourself. I suggest you get yourself a hobby. One that doesn't require eating inedible objects."

"Hey! How the…?!"

"I can smell it on your breath. He he…"

Susie gripping her ax tightly while staring down the cat. The man though did not flinch and kept smiling at her. Kris can tell its pissing her off, but the fact its an old man seemed to refrain her from trying to kill the cat. She gritted her teeth and just gave an, 'whatever' before turning away. Kris shrugged as he turns to the shopkeeper.

"So, what are you selling?"

"Not much: dark candies, dark burgers, amber cards, and a spooky sword. If you got the money I can part ways with it. Especially the spooky sword, you look like you can swing a blade around easily."

Kris did like how the blade looked. The orange and black color scheme along with the bat hilt reminds him of Halloween. Plus, it was indeed a better weapon than his current sword. However, he was strapped for dark world money.

"Uh…I'm kinda short. Maybe another time. I'll just take some candies."

"Heh, scrapping by? I don't blame you. With the way things are a lot of Darkners are having a hard time adjusting. Like that poor soul outside my shop. From what I heard he was fired from his previous job and is now stuck doing tutorials. Though I don't think they are that good at it. Still, if you are feeling generous, throw them a bone. Maybe they stop hanging around my shop."

"I'll think about it."

Seam simply laughed at the response as he let them on their way. Looking to their right they see the poor soul Seam mentioned. He looked like a bum for lack of a better word and Kris had all rights to just leave him be. The last thing he needed was more tutorials. However, his body didn't respond. He froze in place, a consequence of one thing only.

"SOUL…why do you want us to help that hobo overthere?"

"Hey, he needs help. Besides the poor guy looks miserable."

"He's a bum idiot. If anything, he is gonna mooch us for cash."

"Look he's just gonna be there until somebody does something."

"Better them then me. I had enough tutorials."

"If somebody done it already then, they would be gone now. So, suck it up and let's hear them out."

"…*sigh* I really don't like you. Fine then, but this charity better pay off."

Checking out the shady creature. Already Kris felt this was a bad idea. The darkner not only is giving off stranger danger vibes. But is asking for 50 dark bucks for his services. As much as he didn't want to, he paid the guy on SOUL's request. The strange darkner's reaction told him all he needed to know. Not only was he poor, but desperate. The look of elation as he asked the group to follow him left many questions. Susie even wondering why they're bothering with him in the first place.

Still, they followed and walked into a small open section. Where there are four more of the same creatures. The one with the stubble explained their situation. Being former puzzle guys as Seam mentioned before. Being fired after the king of the land took power and replaced with a guy named Rouxls Card. Dumb name aside, Kris wondered if he would be trouble down the line. Regardless this whole operation just reeks of desperation and poverty. Not only do the tutorial guys repeat information he already knew. Some of it had to be corrected by Ralsei much to their annoyance. Their donation hole was shallow and only allowed a dollar to be placed inside. Overall, it was a waste of time save for some humorous interactions.

"Wow, those people have it rough. Maybe if we find the king, we could change his mind on them?" Ralsei suggested.

"Why? Not our problem," Susie frowned.

"Just…lets keep them in mind alright? Right Kris?"

Kris wanted to say no, but SOUL pointed out the growing pleading face of their black fuzz companion. His will weakened the normally stoic young man reluctantly agreed. Much to their ally's delight and Susie's indifference.

The trio move onwards, saving at a nearby save point before going right from the shop. Passing the empty doorframe, they ran into an old enemy, Lancer.

"Well, flip my flapjacks! The clowns are back in town! Well, bad news since you last saw me several minutes ago…I created a new team that is for sure gonna stop you! Not even that purple girl can beat them! Ho ho ho…

"Stop. Stop talking."

Kris and Ralsei flinched as they felt the tone of menace coming from Susie's voice.

"Ho ho ho? What is that? Why are you saying that?"

Lancer's jovial expression dropped as it looked like somebody killed his groove.

"Uh that's my evil laugh! Scary, right!?"

"You sound like a baby Santa Claus."

Lancer took a moment to process this. Kris couldn't help but wonder if he even knew who Santa was, "Um…you mean, like, in a badass way?"

"Just shut up."

The coldness in her voice sent a chill down Kris's spine. While he kept a strong face, he knows this girl is not one to mess with, much. She pushed him and Ralsei to the side as she went up to confront the child darkner. SOUL suggested he should step in because Susie really is laying in how wanna-be tough guy Lancer is. Kris retorted that getting in that would be suicide. The last thing they want to do is make an enemy of Susie. With their direct opposition to one another on the situation, they couldn't move. They were forced to watch as the purple monster picked up the small child, laughing in his face before going in to try and bite his face. Even Kris was surprised she may go through with it. Ralsei's face had a look of panic as her teeth got close to the little darkner. SOUL was practically screaming in his head to do something, and for a moment…his foot inched in agreement.

"Ohhhh, ok. I get it! Thank you purple girl!" However, it would seem the situation resolved itself.

Susie was dumbfounded, confused and bamboozled, "….What?"

"Thanks! It was kind of you! To teach me how to be scary! With an evil laugh!"

"Hey I wasn't…"

Lancer didn't listen to her as he leapt out of her grip. Following up with a declaration of the group getting thrashed as gave off his new evil laugh. Weirdly ending it with a Merry Christmas before scampering off. Perhaps he did know who Santa Clause is. A thought for later however as he left three darkners to attack them.

"Contact, new enemies!" Kris shouted as he drew his blade with allies getting ready as well.

"Jigsawrys, apparently a group of them is called a board. They don't look like they want to fight."

"They do look pretty pathetic to say the least."

"Definitely not worth the beatdown in your logic."

"Er…right. *sigh* Alright, we'll do it your way."

"Careful Susie is looking trigger happy. That WARNING option should be our first choice."

"Whatever, just I'll try to do it the best I can."

Agreeing on the action together Kris turned over to Ralsei and gestured to warn the enemies. The darkner nodded in agreement as both warned the monsters of Susie's attack. This put the puzzle mouse creatures on guard. Just in time as well as Susie lunged forward viciously but missed completely thanks to the warning.

"Hey! What's the big idea?!"

"Looks like they are more well prepared than we thought."

"Bullshit, you warned them about me didn't you!"

"Look grill me later, I know how we can get rid of all these guys in one go."

"Don't wanna hear it werido."

Kris rolled his eyes as it was the enemies turn. Not surprisingly these wimps did not choose a direct attack route but choose to attack SOUL. The familiar box shows up much to Susie's surprise, no doubt first time seeing it. Puzzle pieces showed up to try and squish the heart from different directions. They came in fast, but SOUL managed to dodge them. Gaining some TP. Once the attack ceased it was their turn again and Kris immediately asked SOUL for any insight.

"Any ideas how to calm down these three in one go?"

"Well uh…these guys are just like the guys we met before. Miserable and looking for an out."

"So befriend one and maybe the rest will follow?"

"Yes? Hopefully?"

"Hopefully you say…*sigh* out of options here. Better than nothing."

The two locks in the option to befriend the monsters while setting up Ralsei to pacify them all. Kris barely raised a finger before all three of them dropped their hostilities in an instant and agreeing to be friends. The stoic boy couldn't believe his eyes on how easy that was. They really were looking for a way out and just about any excuse was good enough for them. Ralsei's magic was enough to send them all away thus ending the battle.

Breathing a sigh of relief, it was short lived as Kris was picked up by Susie who was now glaring angrily at him, "Alright werido, what the heck was that all about? The Box, the heart and you muttering to yourself. Like just what the heck?!"

"Uh…I got a better question. Would you believe me?"

"Listen smart ass! You better start spilling the beans before I eat your face!"

"Okay, uh…SOUL can you say hi to Susie?"

Susie's anger flared up even more. The nonsense pissing her off, but the term SOUL recalled the convulsion from their first fight with Lancer. So, she eased up a bit as Kris went limp in her hand before shooting back to life. A different aura coming off from him, a softer one and what stared back at her are soft blue eyes of another person.

"Uhh…howdy?" Susie dropped the body of Kris in surprise.

"Okay…what the heck. Who are you?"

"SOUL, uh…I don't got a name other than that. I am the guy who's in here with Kris."

"Can…Kris still hear us?"

"Yes, he can, though he isn't comfortable with me being here. I mean it's his body after all, so I don't blame him. So he is kinda asking me to hurry up."

"Oh uh…wow…I…"

"Look to keep things short, Kris and I are a tag team. We must cooperate to accomplish an action. So…yeah know there is an operation going on in here."

"But how does that explain the box and…"

"Ah! Sorry, Kris wants control back. Any more questions you ask him! Nice meeting you bye!"

"Hey! I'm not done with you! Get back here damn it!" Kris's body went limp again. Susie growled in frustration as the body came back to life again. This time the darken eyes of Kris stared back at her.

"Oh thank god, I was hoping that would work."

"Ugh, never mind. You are just so weird…lets just get a move on already."

She dropped Kris ungraciously and stomped off. Kris dusted himself off and got up with Ralsei quickly coming to his side, "Are you alright Kris?"

"Been better, but I say that went well all things considered," he physically shuddered as he recalled the feeling of letting SOUL take over. It was cold and he felt like he was floating in nothing. A thought came across his mind, but he shook it off in fear of SOUL prying into him.

The next area was strangely simple as they walked in. A large spike topped fence blocked the only way forward. The only other thing of note was the rather stupid looking puzzle. Two boxes and two buttons don't need a genius to figure this one out. Which is a good thing considering the nearby sign was vandalized. As pointed out by Ralsei. As for Susie she was looking for a way to jump the fence. To Kris's mind that is an idea, but he rather not gets impaled over something simple. Solving the puzzle quickly to the praise of Ralsei. The group ran into the fork in the road. A path upwards and a path to the right leading straight into an enemy. Before an action could be decided on Susie gave off a war cry charging into the seemingly lone Rudinn.

As always, more monsters showed up when one is attacked. Ralsei and Kris did their best to keep the monsters warned much to Susie's irritation. Eventually ending the battle peacefully.

"Argh, why can't you just let me clobber them?"

"Umm…Susie, we can't just hurt people just because they are in the way. I mean they don't want to fight us really," Ralsei said in the kindest voice he can muster.

"Yeah? So why do they attack us anyways?"

"They aren't given much choice. At least that's what it looks like."

"Yeah, whatever. If they had any sense they stay out of our way."

"I wish…you can just understand that being kinder has its own rewards Susie. I mean everybody has some good in them. Just some kindness can help them turn over a new leaf!"

"I really don't get you four eyes. Nothing is black or white as you see it. You're too dumb to really understand how it is outside your home."

"Is it really? Or is it because you're too closed off to see any other way?"

Kris raised a brow when Susie fell silent and scoffed, "Whatever, you're not worth my time. Let's just get a moved on."

Susie turned around and walked off. Not stomping, clearly a sore spot was hit at least according to SOUL. Kris and it would debate on doing something or saying something, but Kris won out. Reasoning that they don't know enough to do anything. He doesn't know much of Susie's life so there is nothing they can say that would help. Kris shook his head as he followed her with Ralsei in tow. The group stumbling into a new environment drastically different from the forest they were in.

/

Something was wrong here. Really really wrong, Kris can feel it, Soul can feel it, Ralsei felt it and even Susie had to pause at what was happening. The road ahead of them was just glitching, panels of a checkerboard flicker in and out of existence. Some turning into fuzzy noise and some simply displaced from the main road. Kris felt a form of dread he couldn't describe, they simply don't belong here.

"What the fuck…" Susie managed to croak out as she stepped forward and looked around. It was pointless though, there was only one road, and it was the broken mess in front of them.

"I-I…never seen anything like this before?! Is the world…broken?" Ralsei was trembling. Kris wanted to comfort the goat boy…or was that SOUL? The entity was silent but he somehow understood that he needed to be quiet for a reason.

Kris looked to the sides and noticed glitchy images of themselves in the distance. Walking the same road and progressing through as normal. Not just one though, many, each image further from the other and doing similar actions to one another. The eerie silence was broken by the sound of something rolling their direction. Eyes darted forward as a small red poker chip came into view. The whines of a dog whimpering became more apparent as it got closer. The chip hit Susie's feet and fell over. Revealing a small face on the poker chip that looks to be on the brink of tears.

"It's scared…" Susie managed to say, "Uh…Ralsei…can you take care of it?"

"Y-Yes…" Ralsei went over and picked up the living poker chip, "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

The chip only whined in response and pointed ahead with it's foot. Kris could only summarize that something mean was waiting for them there. It was the only time SOUL managed to whisper to him.

"Kris…I got a really bad feeling. Like…we're being watched everywhere at once. Something judging us…tread carefully."

"I see, will do," Kris looked forward and began taking steps onward. Surprising both Susie and Ralsei who asked him where he is going. He only wordlessly gestured forward, and they followed him. The silence of the path was deafening as the trio's steps echoed. No enemies came to meet them and no traps to trip them up.

"Ralsei…you said this world is…broken?" Susie asked hiding the fear in her voice.

"I cannot explain it, it's just…something I felt. It doesn't belong here…we don't belong here."

"That certainly doesn't help…I need to get out of this world as soon as possible."

Kris ignored them as he kept his face forward. The unsettling nature of the area kept SOUL quiet and left him in full control. His mind in silence and painfully empty and cold. He hated to admit it but he was starting to miss the companionship of his co-inhabitant.

He is a parasite…

Was that him? Did he think that just now?

Only hold you back…

This is really starting to mess with him. Kris sweats a bit as he looks ahead and notice the path glitching again. Flashes of light change the path and with it the voices in his head grows louder.

You know you want to…a real sword…

The power it brings…

You don't have to feel powerless…

You don't need them…

Kris wanted to scream as these voices invaded his thoughts. To tell them to shut up, but then they fell silent. All was quiet again and for a moment he could breathe a sigh of relief. However, this peace was interrupted when Ralsei shouted in surprise.

"Kris look out! Something is up ahead!"

The boy stopped in his tracks as he spotted the obstacle in front of them. It was a creature in the shape of the poke chip dog they met earlier. However, it was glitching and had no details other than the static that made up its body. Kris found himself unconsciously reaching for his sword as the creature gave off a distorted bark. Following a small glitched crown fell on its head and landed on it. Causing it to grow with large legs to match. It stomped the ground with great ferocity as the trio were dragged into a battle.

"Looks like we're doing this now!" Susie shouted as she readied her ax, "You don't have a problem if we give this thing a few smacks?"

"I-I…don't even know what we are looking at!" Ralsei exclaimed, "I feel…indiffence from it."

"Focus, its in our way and it doesn't look like it wants to negotiate," Kris gritted his teeth as he mentally shouted for SOUL. However, there was no response, just pure fear somewhere deep inside.

"Kris what's wrong? Where's SOUL?"

"SOUL is scared, they're not responding!"

"Oh great…so much asking for their help! Fine then we're doing this the old fashion way!"

Susie gave out a warcry as without command she lunged and attacked the creature with her ax. Doing some damage as the monster flashed red from the hits making impact. In response the creature kicked at her and knocked her to the side. Before following up with a graceful leap and showering stars above them. The SOUL box opened up before them showing the now scared SOUL frozen in place. Taking a few hits due to the inability to move from fear. The damage was shared between the trio and Susie felt her frustration rising.

"The hell?! He didn't move! Hello?!"

"A SOUL afraid?! Just what's going on? That shouldn't be possible!"

"Everyone focus, we need to beat it!"

"It's not gonna be easy without SOUL! What can we do?"

"Leave that to me," Kris analyzed the situation carefully. The creature only grew the way it did thanks to the crown that landed on its head. So, they should target it and knock it off somehow. How is the better question to ask. Looking around his eyes fell onto Susie and a smile came across his face.

"Hey what's with the face you creep?"

"Susie, how's your throwing arm?"

"Uh good? I could easily toss you losers you don't look very heavy. Especially Ralsei, since he looks like he is made up of more fluff than body."

"Good because I need you to throw us."

Ralsei paused and looked at Kris with surprise, "Throw us? Are you really sure?"

"We need to aim for the crown Ralsei. Just tuck and roll."

"Um…okay! I trust you."

"Susie get ready!"

The purple lizard monster girl smiled as she put down her ax and stretched her right arm, "Alright which of you losers is going first?"

"That will be me," Kris got into position as Susie easily picked him up and aimed carefully at the crown. Thankfully the monster is still following the battle rules so it was just a matter of hitting a stationary target. With the trajectory decided Susie with all her might threw Kris and he flew through the air sword drawn. He managed to hit the crown a bit, but it wasn't enough to completely knock it off. Ralsei turn came next and Susie's power sent him flying faster than him. Barely hitting the crown before flying off and coming back.

The monster's turn came and instead of targeting SOUL it aimed for Susie with a rapid series of kicks that shot stars out. Susie was blindsided by the attack and used her ax to block some of the onslaught, but the attacks proved to be overwhelming and she took some hits. Ralsei gave her some food to heal to which she gladly took.

"Grr…looks like its already on to us. Does the plan stay the same?"

"I don't got a better one so yes."

"Well then you better knock off that crown!"

Kris and Ralsei got ready for another round and managed to loosen the crown even further. It was almost off the glitched creature's head and it's stomping roars betrayed its anger as it kicked more ferociously. Susie was more prepared and avoid more of the attacks. Getting into the rhythm of the fight as when their turn came. It was over, with one last throw Kris knocked off the crown. The object of power fell to the ground and dissipated into nothing. Without its power source the creature shrank back to it's puny self and was barking like a rabid chihuahua. Even its attack on the following turn couldn't do anything against the trio.

Susie smiled as she reared up her ax and sliced the creature in half effortlessly. The monster glitched a couple of times before disappearing entirely with a buzz of static. With that done the world around grew bright white that they had to shield their eyes. When the light faded they found themselves at the end of the path. Looking backward the once broken path was normal again in its checkerboard glory. The creature they brought with them barked cheerfully as it rolled away to the path ahead of them.

However, the trio simply let out a sigh of relief as they sat onto the ground. To recover and think about what in the world they just witnessed.