Chapter 6: Prison Cell Blues
/
Things were fuzzy and black in his eyes. Despite his best efforts to claw away the disturbance in his mind it never seems to fade. He doesn't know how much time has passed but slowly the disturbance began to fade. His vision faded in and out with a nearly inaudible voice speaking to him. He fought hard to bring his consciousness back. Every push through a sea of darkness that tries to push him back. A sense of self trying to reclaim what was thought to be lost. More and more the vision became clear as the concerned look of Ralsei was looking back at him.
"Kris? SOUL? Anybody?"
"Ugh…" One consciousness passed through, "What…happened?"
"Uh…we're imprisoned thanks to the not so friendly folks at the castle gates. Do you not remember?"
"What?! How could I remember that? I wasn't even…*sigh* Ralsei, it's me Kris," Fully awake and looking around. They were in a dinky looking prison cell that looks like it hasn't seen a proper cleaning in a long time, "What…happened?"
"Well…" Ralsei relayed the recent events that took place after the incident in the forest maze. Kris looked at the goat boy in disbelief that he missed such important events. For a moment he was silent, but then he started knocking on his head.
"SOUL? You there?"
There was silence, it wasn't reassuring considering what last happened to the both of them. He gave another few knocks calling out SOUL and eventually he felt something stirring in his head.
"Hello? Oww…that was one hell of an attack…"
"Oh good you're alive. Well I guess you would be since I'm not dead either."
"Kris? Oh man nice to see you again I was getting worried that you were out for a long time."
"From what Ralsei told me, we both got you to thank for making sure we got out of that situation alive. Though you could have done a bit better at the end there…since you know."
"Yeah…its not ideal. Well, now that we have our facilities, I guess we should look for a way out."
"No need to tell me twice," Kris looked around and examined the cell room. Big enough for Ralsei and him to have decent sleeping arrangements. If there was anything to sleep on. There was a chain manacle attached to the wall which the bad guys did not use on one of them for some reason. A large crack on the wall looks promising, but there wasn't anything on hand they could use to break it further. Looking beyond that in the corner there was moss growing. Kris examined it closer and mentally recalled in a class lesson that moss was mostly water. So it can be used to drink from if they have to. Well, at least he thinks so.
An intrusive thought poked into his mind though the longer he stared at it. A desire to eat the moss to continue the cycle of life. SOUL wondered why he was considering eating the moss but did nothing to stop the young man as he grabbed a piece of the moss and consumed it. This got the attention of Ralsei who thought it was normal.
"Not even a minute in here and you resorted to eating moss."
"I am just continuing the cycle of life!"
"Right…well it just occurred to me that we are short a member of our team."
"Susie! She must have been locked up in a different cell."
"Well I am sure she will find a way to save us from this predicament, but…I have an idea that might help her out."
"What is it?"
"It involves SOUL, so he better listen too. Okay, there is a technique called SOUL influence. It allows SOUL to see where certain people are and try to influence them. His sight will be separate from yours, but you will still be connected to each other."
"How much influence they have over the other person? Also how do you know this?"
"It's hard to explain…but SOUL shouldn't have much influence as a whisper in your ear. So really, we are only hoping for the best when it comes to Susie. As for how I know…well…"
"HEY IDIOTS! I can hear you from over here!" A loud voice boomed from nearby belonging to, who else, Susie.
"S-Susie?!" Ralsei jumped in place as he looked all around, "Where are you? Also how much did you hear?"
"Something about continuing the cycle of life and moss…how did your cell get moss!"
"Uh…it was just sort of here. Are you in a cell near us?"
"I was, till I broke out. Seriously I'm out of my cell. The warden really shouldn't be standing so close to the bars. I was able to 'sweet talk' him into giving me the keys."
"Wow really? Way to use your words, Susie!"
Kris couldn't help but marvel at Ralsei's naivety. He should have known by now that Susie is not one to sweet talk people. He doesn't break it to the poor boy as he rather let Ralsei live in blissful ignorance of what happened on her end. Still though she was already out and about put things in their favor. Though she must have selective hearing if she didn't hear about the SOUL influence conversation. Heck he is sort of tuning out the conversation taking place here up until a puzzle was mentioned. After that he was paying attention as Ralsei turned to him.
"Kris you need to tell Susie what to do."
"One problem, there is a wall. How can I instruct her to solve a puzzle if I can't see it either?"
"Remember what we talked about? We use SOUL influence! Now, just focus on the thought of Susie and SOUL should be able to see the puzzle she is looking at."
"Right, so he can relay the info to us and then we shout her what to do."
"Exactly!"
"Okay…here goes nothing. Thinking of Susie…thinking of Susie…"
Kris concentrated as hard as he could on the thought of Susie. At first nothing happened, but then he felt something stirring. SOUL mentioning a path opening and being able to see Susie. Flowing through it and finding himself with a new perspective, as now he can see the puzzle and have a bit of a top view of where everyone is in relation to each other in the area.
"Oh hey I can see everyone now! Wow now I can see how you can hear each other. Alright let's see…oh we done this kind of puzzle before! We just need to match the symbols."
"Okay just tell me the symbols and I'll work with it!"
SOUL confirmed and with some nudging and prodding influence Susie to change the panel below the symbol to match it. In this case it's a club, heart, and spade combo. After some fiddling on Susie's end trying to understand the mechanics, they managed to solve the puzzle with some tedium. As the puzzle requires setup then switch symbols to the appropriate ones. Still though it was a resounding success as SOUL returned to Kris as Susie fist pump in victory.
"Yes! We did it!"
"That's great! Now you can come and help us!"
"Right right, I'll get there soon."
Susie left through the open door leaving the two boys to themselves. Having to wait until their savoir comes around to break them out.
"She appreciates it, really she does Kris."
"Probably the most genuine I heard from her. Still though I don't like waiting."
"I know, but still there isn't much we can do."
Kris sighed, "Yeah…"
"You're worried about her, aren't you?"
"Considering what we been through. Yeah. Tough as she is I am not sure how well she does alone if those glitch things come back."
"Well, if it's any reassurance you can use SOUL influence again. Just remember what you did before, and SOUL will do what he can to help. Now close your eyes…and think about Susie…"
Kris closed his eyes once more and focused on Susie. Once again SOUL saw the path and traveled through. Following Susie's movement.
/
Susie found herself in a hallway with a fork in the road. Mentally reaffirming she got out of the cell but stuck on which direction to take. Looking down both hallways trying to decide but was interrupted by a cold chill that ran up her spine.
"Go right…"
"Huh what? K-Kris? SOUL? Was that? Oh man I better not be losing it…" she checked behind herself and figured she was out of ear shot of her two friends, "No I can't hear them but…I'll just go this way." She proceeded to go right from her perspective as the voice told her. Only to run into a dead end, "Nope that's a dead end…other way it is." She was about to head in the other direction until she heard a barely audible voice from the same direction.
"Lancer?" She hurried her pace and was met with a wall. Looking to the left of her she sees another puzzle. Susie didn't like she had to do another puzzle again, but hearing Lancer's voice a bit more clearly behind the wall pushed her to try and solve it on her own. To which if anybody else was watching her they would be surprised what a monster determined can do. Quickly she solved it and the wall opened, revealing the path forward and Lancer himself.
"Understand? They have to stay in their cells. The lightners can't be allowed to escape," He had a small moment of silence, "…especially the purple one."
Susie was struck silent by his words. She was afraid on what to say and once again she swear, she can hear a voice speaking to her in her ear.
"Go easy on him…"
Taking a small breath, she steady's herself, "Lancer?"
"S…Susie?!"
Susie took a few steps forward, "Lancer…Ralsie and Kris are still locked up."
"I-I know…I was the one who told my troops to put you down here. To keep you down here…forever…"
"L…Lancer…you…you…wanted to get rid of us?" Susie paused to try and get a hold of herself and her building anger. Remembering the small whisper in her ear from before, "I thought we were a team."
"I…I can explain, Susie…"
Susie turned around as her frustration built. She was tempted to punch the wall next to her. She truly believed that Lancer was somebody she could trust and rely on. Especially the period of time they spent together and all the talks. She didn't want to hear his reasons because to her it was clear that whatever it is, was more important than their friendship. Just thinking about it send her blood to a slow boil.
"Nah…its fine…its okay…you don't have to say anything. I…get it, you know? Why would anyone…be my friend anyway? No…that's not right…"
"Susie, that's not what its…"
"Shut up."
"But…"
"Shut up!"
She slowly walked towards Lancer who was trembling with fear and apprehension. Her fury felt as she got closer, "Get out of my way…"
"…"
"I SAID GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
"N-no…"
Susie looked at him with a disbelieving look as she started having a small maniacal laughing fit, "Did you not HEAR ME…? Man I tried to warn you..." She stepped away from him walking a fair distance away. Fighting herself as she wanted to hurt him for his betrayal, but the other part of her didn't want to. Also hoping that her intimidation tactics will scare him away and make it easier for her, "So, don't expect me to feel guilty…" She pulled out her ax and gives it a threatening swing towards Lancer, "When they have to clean you off the floor."
"Susie! Don't do anything rash…"
Susie growled as the voice whispered in her ear again. It felt like an annoying voice of reason. Going against her despite wanting to vent out her anger and scare Lancer out of the way. Crashing her ax on nearby walls as she threateningly got closer and closer. All the while the annoying whisper in her ear keeps telling her not to hurt Lancer. It's frustrating her further as she knows already. Its why she is trying to scare him off, yet he is not budging. She doesn't know if it's fear or his actual willpower. Regardless she kept going, slowly, slowly before finally in the blindness of her frustration.
*Bam, bam, bam, bam*
Susie felt reality come crashing back to her as she realized her ax did not contact the wall. No, it made contact with Lancer, who was now lying on the ground with multiple marks on his body from the blunt end of her ax hitting him. She attacked him in blind anger and with raving rants. She felt the weapon in her hand grow heavier as she saw the tears streaming from Lancer's face run down like a dam with leaks.
"Why…why don't you fight back!" Susie yelled as she tried her best to avoid joining the water works, "Do you want to die?!" Frustration built again; the whisper she heard before long since silenced from her conflicting emotions. "Do…you…think…I…CARE!" With a defiant yell she slammed her ax into the ground. Missing Lancer by a large margin.
"S…Susie? Y…You missed…"
"I…I…don't want to kill you…man," Susie could swear she heard a sigh of relief as she sat down with her weapon to the side. Emotionally spent, more so than she would normally let herself be, "Please…just move out of the way."
"But Susie…if I let you guys go…then you and my dad…will fight…you'll…kill each other…"
"…"
"At least if you stay here…neither of you will get hurt."
"…" Susie paused as she tried to carefully arrange her thoughts, "Yeah…maybe…but um…you remember what SOUL said right?"
"…sort of?"
"He said, we'll find a way to end things peacefully…I don't know how but…I think we can Lancer. I mean…I don't think there is anybody else that can find it but them. Maybe…uh…talk it out peaceful style y'know?"
"I…I don't think my dad will like that…"
"Hey Lancer c'mon! We're a team right? Nothing can stop us! Fighting or not! Alright?"
Susie did her best to smile while trying to give a thumbs up. At least, any sort of positive reinforcement she could muster to cheer him up. Lancer gave a processing look as he wracked his brain on her words and actions. His look of worry slowly changing into a hopeful one as his smile returned.
"…Yeah! Yeah, you're right…! We might as well try! I can help, too! I'll go talk to my dad! Ripen him up!"
"Hey, now we're getting somewhere!"
"I'll head over right now!" He made a few steps away before stopping in place, "S…Susie?"
"…Yeah?"
"Are…are we still friends?"
"H…huh? Uh…sure if you still want to?"
"Phew! See you!" With a skip and hop Lancer pranced away leaving Susie by herself.
"Oh man…that was rough…still though…how the heck we are gonna get past his dad peacefully? Kris…SOUL…I hope you guys got a plan."
Susie sighed and moved onwards. Unaware of SOUL leaving her alone and heading back to Kris and Asriel.
/
Kris was having a off topic conversation with Asriel by the time SOUL returned. His presence stopping the conversation cold, "He's back, so how did it go?"
"It was a bit rough, but things should be looking good for us now."
"So, where's Susie?"
"She's coming, should be here just about…now."
Kris looked down at the only doorway and noticed the familiar shape of the not so friendly dinosaur. He had a small smirk that quickly faded as he noticed quickly the somber look of his monster companion.
"Hey guys…"
Kris chose his words carefully, "Hey Susie, you alright?"
"I…uh…you know what never mind. I'm fine you loser."
"Nice to see you too," Kris shook his head playfully as Ralsei jumped in place in excitement.
"Look at us, merry heroes in the making," Ralsei beamed, "You are becoming more like hero of legend, Susie!"
"Yeah, yeah, don't push your luck. C'mon let's blow this place while we still can."
Susie led the duo out of their cell and into the main hallway of the prison. Now that the three are here they noticed how eerily empty the cells are. It's like they were the first prisoners these bars seen in forever. They explore a bit and discover another prisoner which was just a floating pair of eyes. Both odd and creepy, at the same time the trio found an elevator and a save point. Kris took the chance to save before they stepped into the elevator. Who knows what waits for them ahead. Ralsei pressed the button to take them out of there.
"This may take a while so get comfy everyone."
With this statement all of them took a resting position in the elevator. Probably the first good time to rest since their adventure started. All the walking and troubles they faced seem like a distant memory. Kris and Susie being the ones who felt the weight of the journey the most after meeting great adversity that pushed them.
"Hey Ralsei," Susie finally spoke out, "You know the king, right?"
"Um yes?"
"Do we…really have to fight him? Because…I am hoping we don't need to…hurt him."
"Hmm? Susie it's not like you to ask that."
"H-Hey, don't get me wrong. I could crush the guy but considering you and Kris have been finding a way to not fight anybody up to this point. I was hoping you guys might have a plan….and maybe teach me how to…what you call it? ACT?"
Ralsei made a joyful gasp, "We be happy to teach you how to ACT, Susie! We will help you with each step so you can get the hang of it!"
Kris was about to protest but stopped himself. Most likely from SOUL convincing him just to roll with it despite his tiredness now. He simply gave a thumbs up which he managed to catch a smile from Susie during the elevator ride. He also had to hide a chuckle when a few minutes later Susie asked Ralsei if she could have cake from him. Which the darkner replied with the condition that she stopped making fun of him. To which she will if she has to which was enough for the darkner.
"So…any theories on those…glitch things?"
Kris froze as Susie asked the question to both him and Ralsei, "Oh those...things."
Kris noticed a shiver to Ralsei's body, he can't blame him as he felt a cold chill just thinking about them, "Oh uh…its fine if you can't talk about them. I totally understand…its just I haven't seen them ever since that one time."
"Well Susie…I…don't know what they are. All I know is their presence seems to warp the area they show up. The…entities…I don't even think they are the same darkners of the areas we visited…or at least the ones native here."
"So, they look like them…but they aren't them…that doesn't make any sense…"
"That's because…they don't make sense…" Kris spoke up, "SOUL is reminding me something they said to me…or at least one did."
"Well out with it. What do you know?"
"The one that talked to me called itself the roads between. Paths not taken and paths deleted. Also, what shouldn't exist that now does is why they are even here," Kris went silent as he felt his body shake cold for a bit, "SOUL and I…somehow let them in…by existing…"
Silence befell the elevator as Susie and Ralsei were stunned by this revelation, "Wait…how does that work? That doesn't make sense to me…"
"Beats me, we should though keep an eye out. One of those things is the reason why SOUL had to take control of my body…as much as I dislike it."
"Yikes…Ralsei your thoughts?"
"I…I'm not sure…I never read about such creatures before. This is unknown territory for me…and considering the same one knocked me out too. We should tread carefully…we will never know if the next room might be another trap by them."
"You don't need to tell me twice, but next time they got me to deal with. Er…just like the first time."
The two boys gave her a smile as the elevator came to a stop. Finally reaching their destination. Ralsei noted it as their stop and decided to look ahead in case of immediate trouble. Leaving the two in the elevator, Kris got up and stretched his legs a bit.
"Hey Kris, before we head out. I have to say…I really do trust you. We managed to get this far with your help and SOUL's. So whatever idea you two get I'll listen…unless its stupid…which I may go back to beating people up. Seriously though I'll listen."
"Heh, alright Susie, I get it. Ralsei will show you the ropes as promised as well."
"I know, hehe. He's kinda of a dork, but he's, our dork."
"He sure is."
"Hey guys! I don't see any glitches, so we should be okay up here!" Ralsei shouted to them.
"Looks like that's our cue to leave."
"Let's rock and roll, Kris."
