The Golden Place. It was a secluded grove hidden within the ruins of an ancient temple. Ironically, according to legend, this was the passage through which monsters were once led into the Underground. Yet, the structure had likely been here long before them, and its remnants would perhaps outlast them as well.
A spear shot through the air, tearing into the remains of a dummy. It lodged half-shredded in its center, left quivering in the aftermath. A slow, steady panting filled the quiet.
Vines crept along the smooth, purple stone walls, their tendrils woven with blooming golden flowers. The moss spread in thick patches across the floor and pillars, where purple flowers and vibrant greenery grew in the spaces left untouched. The floor, soft and uneven, bore signs of wear, the moss crushed under the weight of boots in two precise spots.
In the center, a vast, gaping hole in the ceiling bathed a tree-like mass of vines in golden light. Its roots extended across the room, bridging the divide over a small stream that trickled beneath. Clear water pooled on one side, rectangular stones forming steps that led from the tree down to the ground. A pathway, torn and weathered, was reinforced by newer stone and thick vine growth, leading to a darker section of the ruins.
The spear vanished as its magic faded, the sound of metal boots clanging with each step growing softer until the figure stopped at the water's edge. The heavy, armored boots sunk slightly into the cool pool as she sat down, her crimson hair catching the soft light.
Undyne, The Caretaker. HP 1200. AT 40. DF 20.
An old, worn purple tabard hung over her chest, mended and stitched in numerous places. Beneath it, a white shirt peeked through the open sides, leading down to a pair of torn blue jeans. Armor reinforced her chest, bracers, pauldrons, and steel-toed boots. Her hair, tied in a messy ponytail, had mostly slipped loose, the hair tie barely holding it together.
In silence, she let the chill of the water seep into her legs, her breathing slowly evening out. She glanced at her hand, clenching and releasing it, testing her strength.
"Is this... all I can do?" she muttered.
Spears of light still clung to the walls and floor, evidence of her training. Some remained stuck in the tree's roots, others embedded into the stone. But it wasn't enough. It was never enough.
Her blue eyes traced the reflection in the water. Faces blurred in her vision—laughing children, playful ghosts of the past. She could almost hear their voices, feel their presence.
HP 600. AT 20. DF 10.
Her heart pounded with frustration, an ache of guilt rising with each passing thought. The images grew clearer—memories of children running, playing in the fallen leaves, their soft laughter echoing around her. Sometimes, she let herself believe they'd escaped, that they'd made it to the place they were searching for.
That her cowardice in letting them go alone, was actually faith. And that the faith was rewarded. Even though, she knew that wasn't the case.
HP 300. AT 10. DF 5.
Undyne felt the exhaustion weigh down on her as she drew a shaky breath, pulling her feet from the water. She stood, brushing herself off, shaking the phantoms away as she forced herself to stand tall.
"Get it together," she muttered to herself. "People are counting on you... you have to..." Her voice softened into a whisper, "You have to stay determined."
With renewed resolve, she released the lingering hold on her magic, letting the spears of light vanish entirely. As she began to walk toward the darker halls, she grabbed a nearby lantern. Inside, glowing white mushrooms provided enough light to guide her through the darkness.
She'd barely started her way out when she paused, remembering something. "Oh crap, I left the training dummy," she grumbled, turning back.
As she neared the Golden Place, a soft snapping sound caught her attention. She froze, scanning the area before jogging in. Taking note of the still falling leaves, she hurried past the dummy and over the bridge formed by the tree's roots. On the other side, she spotted a small figure lying in a bed of golden flowers.
"H-hey!" she called out, hurrying over. "Oh shit. Hey, kid, are you alright?" She knelt down, noticing blood trickling from one of the child's eyes. "That looks bad, but it's okay. I can heal it... see?"
HP 1000. AT 30. DF 15.
Undyne wasn't the best healer, but her magic was enough. A soft glow surrounded the child as the wound began to mend. She wiped the blood away with her sleeve, her voice gentle despite her usual gruffness.
"There you go." She assured quietly, making sure it healed. "All better. May tingle for a moment, but...you'll be alright."
The child stared at her in bewilderment, as if unsure she was real. A small hand reached out, poking her cheek. The physical touch startled them both, the child gasping and stumbling back, only to fall again.
Undyne let out a small, awkward laugh. "Yeah, I'm real. Name's Undyne. The, uh, caretaker of these ruins. Well, the 'broader' ruins, but these ones too, I guess." She remained seated, giving the child space to adjust. "Guess you haven't seen a monster before, huh?"
The child, wearing a tattered green shirt with a yellow stripe, brown shorts held up by a shoelace, and shoes barely kept together with shiny tape, finally spoke. Their voice was soft, hesitant. "Is... is this... hell?"
Undyne blinked, caught off guard. "What? No, kid, this is the Underground. Why would you think that you're in hell?"
"Because...I..." The child trailed.
Undyne seemed to process this, letting out a breath. "Oh. Okay...wow. Uhm, tell you what. You've got questions, and I've got at least a few answers." She chuckled lightly. "But before that, what's your name?"
The child blinked, then spoke again, their voice more formal, as if reciting words. "Greetings, it's nice to meet you...my name is Chara."
"I am left wondering, what the situation is at the barrier in this world you've requested." Gaster remarked, sitting in his chair, smoking, observing. "I suppose, Chara's soul is oft neglected from that equation regardless. But this being doesn't occupy that 'slot' any further. Perhaps this is the 6th human, failing to proceed?" The cigarette smoke glitched. "It matters little. I suppose."
The 'Object' was placed inside a container, attached to the computer in his laboratory. Displaying the moment across the screen. He'd warped his chair to have wheels that slid, more than rolled. The Observer attached to the computer as well, with a long running cord, that seemed to randomly jerk side to side now and then.
The doctor took a long drag. "Ah yes, a refresher. In case you forgot. We're here to check the initial results. Determine stability. Etcetera. Etcetera." He tapped D on his keyboard, and the screen began to blur. "That was a few years before the 'last to fall.' Let's check a little bit further in this worlds future, so far."
Releasing the key, he adjusted things again. And the events of the timeline, became all encompassing once more.
The window creaked as it opened, a red eye peering through the crack. Cool, damp air from the forest slipped inside, carrying the faint chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the ancient trees.
The window slid open fully, and a small hooded figure grasped the ledge, pulling herself out. She landed with a soft, clumsy roll, her travel bag thudding against the ground, its contents swishing with the sound of sloshing liquid. The figure got up quickly, brushing dirt from her clothes.
Over her green-striped shirt, she wore a purple tabard that hung loosely, some golden paint smears along its surface. Brown pants tucked into black boots peeked out beneath the hem, and her arms bore bracers with brushes slotted into them. Her bag slung over her shoulder. She was ready.
A little winged monster, resembling a smiling fly in light armor, fluttered by. "Good morning, Chara."
"Shh!" she hissed, her eyes darting around before she relaxed. "Hey, Whimson. I was... never here."
"Are you sneaking off again?" Whimson asked, his voice buzzing with concern. "Doesn't that... s-cool thing start soon?"
"It's called school, and maybe. As long as I don't know when it starts, I can't get in trouble for missing it," Chara reasoned, shrugging. She shot Whimson a meaningful look. "You didn't see me, got it?"
Before he could respond, Chara was already off, slinking through The Garden, the village they called home. Her boots sunk into moss-covered ground as she passed glowing mushroom lanterns dotting the streets.
Ancient stone structures, rebuilt and polished, stood alongside wooden houses. She darted past pathways leading to underground homes, children playing in the streets, and shopkeepers starting their morning. Her destination lay beyond the town's edge, where the forest waited.
Once she reached the tree line, the air became cooler, darker. She followed an old road deeper into the woods, where the trees grew thick, their branches tangling into a canopy that blocked most of the light. The path was marked by more glowing mushrooms, some placed in light posts, others growing wild. Along the way, glimpses of ancient structures emerged from the overgrowth, their walls etched with history.
The sound of rushing water echoed through the forest as Chara passed streams and rivers, occasionally catching the distant roar of waterfalls hidden by the dense foliage. She adjusted her hood, fastening her small lantern to her belt for hands-free movement.
Today, like many others, Chara was heading to a place most monsters never visited: the Golden Place.
As she ventured further, the path became rougher, less traveled. The ruins were alive with quiet energy, small hamlets nestled within the remnants of crumbling temples and ancient walls. Guards patrolled lazily, chatting amongst themselves. Some were preparing for snail races, their laughter blending with the hum of forest life.
Ignoring the well-traveled roads, Chara veered off onto a dirt path overgrown with vines. She pushed through the brush until she came upon a structure suspended over a river, its stone foundation held aloft by tangled roots. An old ladder led her up into the creaky hallway. Halfway through, she paused, spotting a familiar figure—one of the guards, asleep.
With a smirk, she knelt down beside the slumbering dog-lady, Red, as she recalled her name. Chara pulled a small container from her bag, dipping her finger into the glowing black liquid inside. She drew a few marks on Red's mask, completing the illusion that the guard was still awake.
Satisfied, she continued her journey through the old ruins, navigating the familiar paths. Puzzles once meant to keep intruders out had become routine to her. She solved them with ease—moving statues into place to reveal hidden doors, hopping across ancient buttons to unflood a room. Each task brought her closer to her sanctuary.
The deeper she ventured, the darker it became. She found herself in the quietest parts of the ruins, where the air felt colder and water pooled in cracks along the floor. Glowing paintings adorned the walls, their colors more vibrant here, lit by lanterns she'd placed, or replaced during previous visits.
Finally, after navigating the last puzzle— manipulating a series of lanterns that hung above spiraled floor patterns—she reached her destination. The forest opened up to a breathtaking view.
The Golden Place.
Sunlight poured through cracks in the ceiling above, casting beams of light across the massive tree, the golden flowers. The water shimmering in it's light. Vines snaked up the ancient stone walls, their tendrils wrapping around pillars long forgotten. Small streams of water trickled into pools from the aqueducts that once supplied the area, creating a soft, rhythmic sound. Everything here was alive, bathed in warm light.
Chara smiled, breathing in the familiar scent of flowers and damp earth. This place was her refuge, untouched by the outside world.
Kneeling by the flowers, she pulled out her tools. With careful hands, she ground the golden petals, mixing them with the glowing mushrooms she had collected earlier. A few drops of water from her vials, and the paint was ready—luminous and ethereal. She dipped her fingers into the mixture and began to paint, marking the stone walls with her glowing designs, before switching to her paintbrush when she was sure it would stick.
For hours, she worked in peaceful solitude, her lantern casting soft light over the ruins. The glowing patterns on the walls grew and twisted, her imagination coming to life in swirling lines and intricate shapes. She painted monsters she imagined, cities that only existed in dreams, and places she'd never seen but somehow felt connected to.
Her world was peaceful. Safe.
The sound of footsteps behind her snapped her from her thoughts. Startled, Chara turned, only to be hoisted up into the air.
"What are you doing!?" a loud, familiar voice demanded, playful yet firm. Strong arms settled her onto a broad shoulder. Chara yelped, gripping the woman's sleeve to steady herself. "Caught you red-handed, kid."
Undyne's voice carried a teasing lilt, her fiery crimson hair barely contained in its ponytail. Her sharp-toothed grin softened as she looked at the glowing mural Chara had been working on.
"Mom!" Chara half-laughed, half-scolded, her cheeks flushing. "You scared me!"
Undyne chuckled, her voice full of warmth. "Yeah, well, you gotta be quicker, squirt. Good job, though. This art's pretty damn impressive."
Chara's chest swelled with pride, despite her best efforts to appear nonchalant. "Thanks... it's just something I do to pass the time."
"Well, it's a damn good way to spend your time," Undyne said, setting Chara down. She paused, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. "But, uh... school's started, kiddo. You promised you'd go, remember?"
Chara groaned dramatically, leaning into Undyne's side. "It's just a few hours, right? Do I really need school?" She added. "Barely anyone else is there anyways."
Undyne's playful grin softened, her voice becoming more serious. "Yeah, I know...but it's important stuff. And hey, you're gonna be fine. If a few nerds can handle it, I'm sure you can."
Chara sighed but nodded in reluctant agreement. "Okay, okay. I'll go."
Undyne ruffled her hair, giving a nod of approval. "That's the spirit. But first, let's finish this ultimate, all powerful masterpiece!" Her bombastic tone making the child laugh. "Can't leave it half done, right?"
Chara's face lit up with a wide grin, and for a moment, she forgot about school entirely. She grabbed her brushes and began to explain her vision to Undyne, who, despite her artistic shortcomings, listened intently, happy to watch her adopted daughter's enthusiasm shine through.
The Observer restored its vision beyond the world, Gaster presently sitting, looking disgusted at the screen. Flicking his cigarette, which seemed to fizzle out of existence. Lighting another.
"This is what you wanted hmm?" He wondered, before asking. "Or, perhaps you had something else in mind, and this is merely the 'result' we got." He seemed to observe the final scene for a bit longer. "At least they're happy, right?"
Hitting the D key down, he moved forward in the timeline again. And took a long drag again. Letting out a little sparking cloud of smoke, before stopping.
"Let's see. This is nearer to the point the final human should appear." He commented, tapping something, as The Observer was flooded with the image.
Some beyond the walls of Undyne's home imagined it to be many things. Some pictured a dojo, floor markings guiding training routines. Others imagined it to be a gallery of trophies and medals, with rows of armor gleaming in the soft light.
In reality, Undyne's home was far simpler than these speculations. As she pushed the door open and stepped inside, she let out a long, weary sigh. She paused by the coat-rack, her shoulders sagging under the weight of exhaustion.
First, her bracers hit the floor with a dull clang, followed by the belt around her hips, the buckle jingling as it fell. With a flick, she unclipped the chest plate and let it thud beside the rest. The familiar routine of shedding her armor came as both a relief and a reminder of the burdens she'd carried all day.
She tugged at her tabard, pulling it over her head by the hood, her hair briefly catching as she yanked it free. Beneath, a plain white t-shirt clung to her skin, tucked into old, faded jeans that had plating over the knees. She unclipped the knee guards, letting them fall with a soft clatter.
It wasn't the armor weighing her down now. It was the day's toll.
As she reached up to undo her hair tie, it snapped in her fingers. She stared at the broken elastic for a moment, watching her crimson hair tumble free, a few strands falling in front of her tired eyes. With a soft, frustrated sigh, she tossed the ruined tie aside, where it joined the scattered remnants of her armor.
The hallway in front of her was neat, spacious even. On the left was the coat-rack, now holding her abandoned tabard, and to the right, a small bench with shoes tucked beneath it. Ahead, the hallway split into two paths—left and right.
She stood in the middle of the entryway for a moment, eyes drifting down the right hallway. It led to four doors, two on each side, with a closet at the end.
"Hey, kid. You home already?" Her voice echoed through the quiet house, but there was no response.
Undyne made her way down the hall, stopping in front of one of the doors. "Chara?" she called again, her voice a little softer this time.
Pushing the door open, she found the child sprawled on the floor, fast asleep. Chara was wearing one of Undyne's old jackets, the heavy fabric practically swallowing her small frame. The sight tugged at Undyne's heart.
With a resigned sigh, Undyne crossed the room and gently scooped Chara up, placing her on the bed. She glanced around the room—drawings taped haphazardly to the walls, a toy chest in one corner, makeshift shields and painted wooden swords scattered across the floor. A table on the left side of the room was cluttered with figurines, remnants of a world Chara was constantly building in her imagination.
Undyne frowned as she tucked the blanket around Chara, noting the mess. "We'll have to clean this up tomorrow," she muttered to herself. But her frown deepened as she stared at the jacket draped over Chara's shoulders.
She took a deep breath, gently brushing a strand of hair from Chara's face. "You shouldn't have been out that long," she whispered, mostly to herself. Guilt flickered in her chest—had Chara even eaten today?
Undyne left the room, quietly closing the door behind her. She leaned against it for a moment, letting out a shaky breath as the day's events caught up to her. The strange thing she'd been hunting in the woods—what was it? The scouts had only reported that it was something, or someone, playing tricks on the townspeople. Yet, it scared them, deeply. Whispering secrets people held sacred. Sparking fights with strange whispers of their insecurities. Reports of some being offered prophecies that appeared to come true.
A cold dread, coupled with a peculiar feeling of deja vu had crept into her bones throughout the day. Everyplace she went, her head was wracked with the sensation. Every conversation felt familiar, even though she was sure they hadn't happened prior.
Something about the whole situation felt off. Nobody could even identify 'who' was doing all this. She felt...afraid, but couldn't place why exactly. That said, she couldn't let that show, couldn't afford to show fear when others depended on her.
"C'mon, get ahold of yourself," she murmured, shaking her head as if to clear it. She straightened up, forcing herself into action. "People are counting on you. The kid's counting on you."
As she turned to walk back down the hall, a flicker of movement caught her eye—a brief glimmer in the corner of her vision. She blinked and looked, but it was gone. A trick of the light, she thought, dismissing the unease that coiled in her chest.
The living room was as it always had been. A couch near the fireplace, a kitchen table with a few chairs, and an old television stacked with VHS tapes that were either brought from above or passed down by others. There were a few weapons mounted on the walls—souvenirs of her battles. Posters of her favorite anime hung next to Chara's drawings, and in the corner, an old, weathered suit of armor stood guard beside the TV.
Undyne sank onto the couch, turning the television on with a flick of the remote. She curled up, trying to let the familiar noise lull her to sleep. It didn't take long—her body, heavy with fatigue, dragged her under almost immediately.
But her rest was short-lived.
The creak of a floorboard snapped her awake. Instinct took over before she had time to think. A spear of magic blazed to life in her hand as she sat up, heart pounding, her eyes darting to the source of the noise. As she prepared to throw it, only to resist the impulse at the final moment.
In the doorway stood Chara, still wearing the oversized coat. Her red eyes glowed faintly in the blue light from the fireplace, a haunting contrast against her pale skin.
"Ch-Chara?" Undyne stammered, her magic fading as she slowly stood. "Kid? What... what are you doing?"
She cautiously approached, her senses still on edge, mixing with the guilt of having raised her weapon at the child, her child. Chara wasn't moving, wasn't even blinking. Undyne knelt down in front of her, studying the humans face. Chara's eyes were unfocused, her expression distant. Then it clicked.
"Sleepwalking," Undyne muttered, a relieved smile breaking through her tension. "You scared me, kid." She sighed, relieved. "At least you get to dream..."
Without warning, Chara wrapped her arms around Undyne, clinging to her tightly. The embrace was oddly strong for someone who was supposed to be asleep. Promptly accompanied by whimpers, and soft quiet sobs.
"Or... maybe not a dream," Undyne whispered to herself, her voice soft as she stood and carried Chara back to the couch. The child shivered against her, trembling as if gripped by a nightmare.
Undyne settled them both under the blanket, her arms wrapped protectively around her ward. The sense of déjà vu gnawed at her again, but she pushed it aside.
As she reached for the remote, she noticed the TV had turned itself off. She frowned, turning it back on. Maybe she had hit something by accident, or maybe it had shut off on its own. She didn't want to think about it too much.
For the rest of the night, Undyne stayed awake, holding Chara close. She wasn't going to let her own fears, her own strange premonitions, get in the way. Not tonight.
Chara wouldn't remember this in the morning, she told herself. And that was a small comfort.
But Undyne would remember. The brief moment of dread. The chill that ran down her spine. The strange thing that had lingered, just outside her vision.
But for now, all that mattered was making sure the kid slept soundly.
"Ah. It appears the world knows there is meant to be a...'Lost Soul' but can't quite determine what it is." Gaster smiled grimly. "So instead, they're being haunted by something they cannot perceive, that doesn't truly exist...how amusing."
He made a few final adjustments, and closed down the display. He reached and grasped the container, a cannister, seeming to be the 'Object' now. Like the universe within was molding itself to its confines. Taking this shape, here in the unsteady laboratory.
"Despite that oddity. It is stable. We'll just keep in mind the requirement for something like that." He wagered, adding. "However, we aught to continue to the next section of the world. There are...far more roles to fill."
He snapped his fingers, the cord attached to The Observer fading. The drone whirring, and following after him. He stowed the cannister and wandered to the edge of his void dwelling. Creating another passage from it, heading off to the next part of his grand objective alongside your 'point of view.'