bopdog111: Like how Frisk is starting the College, Asriel has his own 'entrance exam' into the Companions.
lrich362: True, he proved he can handle himself in a fight and now he's taking Vilkas's sword up to the Skyforge... though that still leaves one Dreemurr without anything significant to do, what are the odds she finds a group to work with?
bopdog111: Those odds will probably be explored here.
Ulrich362: Makes sense to me, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own Undertale, or the Elder Scrolls series but we own the OCs!
Asriel headed up with Vilkas' sword before finding an elder Nord working on a forge up above. Noticing Asriel the Nord looked up only to blink seeing him. "Who are you, and what brings you here?"
"Uh... my name is Asriel. I brought Vilkas' sword up here." he hands the sword over to him.
The Nord nodded in understanding taking it. "I'm guessing you're the newcomer then?"
"Vilkas always sends new people on errands?" Asriel asked curiously hearing that.
"Oh, don't worry too much about it. They were all whelps once. They just might not like to talk about it. And don't always just do what you're told. Nobody rules anybody in the Companions." the Nord voiced over to him.
Asriel nodded. "That sounds nice, so all of the Companions look out for each other like a family."
"Indeed. I'm not sure how they've managed it, but they have. No leaders since Ysgramor. Kodlak is the Harbinger, and he's a sort of advisor for the whole group, but every man is his own. Every woman, her own.." the Nord agreed with a nod before then saying to him, "Wait, before you go... I have a favor to ask."
"Huh, ok. What is it?" Asriel asked curiously.
"I've been working on a shield for Aela. My wife is in mourning and I need to get back to her soon. I'd be much obliged if you could take this to Aela for me." the Nord explained over to him.
"Sure." Asriel smiled.
"That's a good man. Well done." the Nord smiled to him nodding as he hands a shield to him.
Asriel carefully took it before pausing. "What do you think about being a Companion?"
The Nord shrugged over to him. "Not actually a Companion myself, but none of them know how to work a forge properly, and I'm honored to serve them. My name is Eorlund Gray-Mane. I work the Skyforge. Best steel in all of Skyrim. All of Tamriel."
"Well, I hope we get along Eorlund." Asriel smiled walking down to the others with the shield. "I'm supposed to find Aela and give her this shield."
"Okay. We should get a leg on." Jin nodded gesturing him over.
Asriel nodded only for Chara to frown. "Azzy, are you really ok with them treating you so badly? You're worth a lot more than some sword after all."
Asriel looked over to her before saying, "I'm sure they don't really mean it... I'm just a whelp to them, I have to prove to them I can take care of myself."
"Start from the bottom and work your way up, it makes sense." Undyne nodded. "Do you want us to stay and help out?"
"I... I think I should be fine." Asriel admitted over to them.
"Well, what should we do then?" Asgore asked Jin.
"Right now let's see if we can check in with Delphine about the next part of this Dragonborn business." Jin said over to them.
"sounds like a good idea." Sans nodded.
They walked together down before they overhear some guards.
"You know out in Windhelm, there is this boy Aventus Aretino, that is trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood."
"Oh come on you know the Dark Brotherhood is gone isn't it?"
"Well the Empire made sure but what if there still around?"
"Stop busting your chops, he's only wasting his time."
"DARK BROTHERHOOD?" Papyrus inquired.
Jin sighed from this, "Some people are still thinking the Dark Brotherhood is around? True that strings of murders happen from time to time but they can't really be from the Dark Brotherhood themselves."
"Murders?" Asgore frowned. "Will Frisk and Asriel be safe?"
"If anyone tries it with them, they will get us." Jin said over before he gave a sigh, "Still I should probably better get that Aretino boy to stop since the Dark Bortherhood doesn't exist anymore."
"Wait just a second. Who are they?" Undyne asked him wanting to know what they are.
Jin stared at her before then saying, "To put it simply... There are a Guild of Assassins."
Chara frowned. "People who enjoy killing? That's sick."
"Well there not all SO bad." Jin stated over to her, "They do take out some people that are corrupt or evil person but they have no qualms towards innocents. They all worship Sithis, and wish to carry his will." He then shook his head. "But enough about that, let's get to Windhelm, and tell him to stop this."
The others all nodded at that heading to the carriage again only for Asgore to pause. "Excuse me sir, how much to take our group to Windhelm?"
"90 gold sir." the carriage rider said over to them before he smiled, "You all ever been to Windhelm? Oldest city in Skyrim say it was build by Ysgramor himself."
"REALLY? THAT'S FASCINATING." Papyrus smiled as they all got in the carriage.
At that everyone rode on the carriage before they notice snow blowing around them in a small snowfall eventually with a big bridge with a large stone city.
"home sweet home, eh Papyrus?" Sans chuckled.
"You have snow in your mountain?" Jin asked hearing that.
"Under it actually, and yes we do. In Snowdin." Toriel answered. "It's where Sans and Papyrus lived."
"How does that happen?" Jin asked confused, "You don't have clouds in a mountain do you?"
"You're questioning an underground society of Monsters who lived under a mountain?" Chara asked him.
Jin blinked before sighing, "Okay you know what nevermind. I probably shouldn't ask anyway."
"It's alright, and maybe we can show you one day now that the Barrier is gone." Asgore offered.
Jin nodded as they walked across the bridge walking in the city looking around seeing the stone city.
"I can see what the carriage driver meant, it looks old but very respectable." Toriel mentioned.
But not respectable on the inside cause as they see nearby two Nord men were harrasing a Dark Elf woman, and then accuses her of an Imperial Spy which she looks annoyed about before they walked off laughing a bit leaving the Dark Elf woman looking frustrated.
"Are you ok?" Undyne asked walking over to her.
The Dark Elf Woman looked over, and blinked, "Are you an Argonian?"
"Not exactly, it's a little complicated." Undyne answered. "Do you need any help?"
The Dark Elf woman only sigh shaking her head, "Honestly nothing can help me out. These Nords act all high and mighty cause they are in Stormcloak Territory. Anyone who is not a Nord is fair game to there bullying."
"Well if there's anything you need just let me or my friends know." Undyne offered softly.
She softly nodded before walking off as Jin walked over telling Undyne, "It's awful but true, that's the type of people the Stormcloaks are. They believe Nordic Traditions should stay the same, and anyone not a Nord doesn't share there vision."
Chara's expression darkened. "So both sides of the war are in the wrong then?"
"One side is being manipulated from the Thalmor for Elven Supremacy." Jin stated over to her, "Meanwhile the other is fighting for Nordic Traditions to stay the same, and destroy the Empire who abandoned there vision. No matter who wins, the Thalmor benefits from all."
"Frisk should talk to them, she could find a solution everyone likes." Asgore noted before pausing and turning to the Dark Elf woman. "Pardon, but do you know someone name Aventus Aretino?"
The woman who was walking off stopped her step turning over looking suspicious, "Why do you want to know?"
"We want to get him to stop whatever it is he's doing." Chara answered.
The Dark Elf woman sighed, "His old house is in that direction." She points over to an area.
"Thank you." Toriel nodded politely as the group walked to the house only to find it was locked.
"Hopefully we can convince him not to call some random group of assassins." Chara frowned.
Jin frowned at this, "Give me a sec." He knelled down starting to pick the lock.
Jin undid the lock as he nodded as they went inside. As soon as they enter they hear some tapping along with a young boy chanting something.
"Sweet Mother, sweet Mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear."
They walked up the stairs calmly to not startle the young boy as they keep hearing it.
"I'm so tired... So... very tired..." the young boy voice said trailing off before he then yelled, "Die, Grelod. Die!"
They arrive at a small room where they blinked.
In a room that has a skeleton in it surrounded by candles, and a sigil was a young short black haired boy that is holding a dagger stabbing at the look.
"Grelod, you old crone. You'll get what you deserve. The Dark Brotherhood will see to that..." the young boy said kept stabbing before he then said pleadingly, "Please... How long must I do this? I keep praying, Night Mother. Why won't you answer me?"
Chara frowned and walked over before slapping him.
"Chara!" Jin cried seeing that while the young boy startled rubbed his cheek, "Was that really necessary?"
"Yes." she answered without turning as she frowned at Aventus. "What are you doing?"
The boy Aventus looked up, and widen his eyes standing up, "It worked! I knew you'd come, I just knew it! I did the Black Sacrament, over and over. With the body and the... the things. And then you came! An... well a young assassin from the Dark Brotherhood but your still what I envisioned."
"Uh kid, we're not who you think we are." Jin said over to him.
"Of course you are! I prayed, and you came, and now you'll accept my contract." Aventus pointed out over still thinking they are the members of the assassin group telling them.
"Contract?" Jin blinked hearing that not thinking someone like him has a contract, "What contract?"
"My mother, she... she died." Aventus looked down saddened looking over to the skeleton. "I... I'm all alone now." He then looked really angry. "So they sent me to that terrible orphanage in Riften. Honorhall." He then looked back over to them. "The headmistress is an evil, cruel woman. They call her Grelod the Kind. But she's not kind. She's terrible. To all of us." He then looked happy with a big smile. "So I ran away, and came home. And performed the Black Sacrament. Now you're here! And you can kill Grelod the Kind!"
"Look, we're not killing anyone and you're going to stop this Black Sacrament thing." Chara told him.
"Besides do you even know what your doing? Calling the blood of someone like her?" Jin asked him to back her up.
"I've never been more sure about anything in my entire life. Someone like Grelod doesn't deserve to live one more day. She's a monster." Aventus answered crossing his arms over.
"But do you have anyway to pay an assassin?"
"I have a family heirloom you can have. Supposed to be sort of valuable. I hope that's all right." Aventus sure did seem to think of all things including payment if the assassination goes as planned. "Besides if you never seen Grelod before you should try seeing her before you make a decision, I assure you she's a total monster."
Chara looked into his eyes before frowning. "Damnit, you're that determined... fine I'll go see her but then I'll come back and I want you to stop this whole assassination business? Agreed?"
"Fine by me." Aventus looks satisfied since to him looks like she's taking the job before then requesting, "Please hurry. To be honest, I'm kind of lonely here. As much as I hated getting sent to Honorhall, I really miss my friends there..."
"Chara are you sure you know what your getting yourself into?" Jin asked her upon hearing her. "This isn't just a small mission this is someone who is calling for murder."
"I'm not killing anyone, I'll just go see this Grelod woman... she's probably not that bad and then come back and he'll stop trying to get someone murdered." Chara answered before pausing. "Sans, do you mind going with me?"
"no worries, I am interested myself to what this made this Grelod get under his skin." Sans shrugged over with his usual grin.
She smiled walking off with him.
So they took a shortcut to Ivarstead, and then headed off to Riften based on directions. Arriving at Riften's gate a Guard move to do something but from being warned before about the 'Visitor's Tax' Sans placed a bag of coins in his heads surprising him enough to open the gate, and they headed in. So they walked eventually arriving at the building Aventus described before, Honorhall Orphanage.
"It doesn't look so bad." Chara mentioned as they walked inside.
Well appearance wise it's alright but when they got inside...
"Those who shirk their duties will get an extra beating. Do I make myself clear?"
Chara's eyes widened hearing that as she glanced at Sans who looked equally surprised.
"Yes, Grelod." mentioned several voices as they looked to see a group of orphans along with an old woman.
"And one more thing! I will hear no more talk of adoptions! None of you riff-raff is getting adopted. Ever! Nobody needs you, nobody wants you. That, my darlings, is why you're here. Why you will always be here, until the day you come of age and get thrown into that wide, horrible world. Now, what do you all say?" the old woman snapped.
"We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness." the orphans replied automatically.
"That's better. Now scurry off, my little guttersnipes." Grelod told them.
"am I hearing that right?" Sans asked surprised from this.
"Constance!"
"Yes, Grelod?" a young woman asked clearly exhausted but still looks well as the old woman started complanining to her which the young woman tells her she'll be fine.
Shaking his head Sans admitted to Chara, "well guess it's a good thing you, Asriel, and Frisk aren't with her huh Chara?" That made Chara paused as unconsciousness she started picturing if Asriel, and Frisk are under this... this harpy's care.
Sans noticed Chara's expression darken as she slowly walked towards Grelod. "Hey!"
Hearing her everyone looked over as Grelod asked her, "Yeah what do you want? You have no business being in here!"
Chara was looking down. "Why are you treating them like that?"
"These little urchins need a home, and unfortunately there under my care leaving me to whip them into shape. What do you want to come here too!?" Grelod asked more then irritated this girl is here.
Chara's expression darkened before looking up and glaring at her with her eyes being pure black just as she drew her knife and drove it into Grelod's chest.
"Aggh!"
All the children looked stunned over what she done with Sans staring blinking before he grinned shrugging with a small chuckle. The young woman Constance already left the room to do what Grelod ordered her too do so she wasn't around when the children started to cheer over the death of the cruel woman in front of them.
Chara was glaring at Grelod's body before pausing and suddenly looking down. "Sans? I... I'm just like the horrible humans aren't I?"
She only felt a bony hand which she looked which he only winked to her, "hey, what you done is free these children from there suffering... sure killing is something that can't really be an answer but hey it doesn't look like there was another option."
"But there was... Frisk or Azzy would have found one." Chara pointed out starting to tear up out of guilt before hugging him.
He only hugged her close before vanishing in a shortcut leaving Constance who had just arrived to see the body to clean up the mess.
Sans, and Chara appeared back at the Aretino Residence which everyone looked over, and Jin seeing Chara in her state asked surprised, "What happened?"
Chara was trembling before turning to Aventus. "It... it's done, so you can stop now."
"Aha! I knew you could do it! I just knew it!" Aventus grinned more then happy that Grelod's dead, "I knew the Dark Brotherhood would save me!" He reached into his bag handing something to Jin. "Here, just like I promised. This should fetch you a nice price. And thank you. Thank you again."
He moved exiting the house happily to head back to Honorhall leaving everyone in stunned silence.
"Was that... Chara did you kill her?" Asgore asked Chara shocked. "What happened?"
Chara had tears as Sans explained what they saw and what he said that led Chara to take someone's life. Toriel walked over before hugging Chara close to her.
"Mom... I'm so sorry." Chara choked out weakly. "You must be so disappointed, after everything Frisk did."
"No..." Toriel said over to her, "I'm not."
Chara's eyes widened looking up with tears. "I didn't just hurt her so she'd stop... I killed someone. It wasn't like attacking those bandits before so we would be ok... I committed murder."
Toriel softly wiped her tears, "But... you done it so you can help those children... even though I don't like it, you helped people by doing that."
Chara nodded weakly.
"What should we do now?" Undyne asked Jin.
Jin stared at the Aretino Heirloom before walking over handing it to Chara, "Here. This will serve a reminder to you helping those children."
She looked unsure but nodded taking it.
Ulrich362: Poor Chara, she'll do a lot to keep her friends and family safe but she's definitely not a killer.
bopdog111: Of course with this certain action: "Your killing has been observed by forces unknown..."
Ulrich362: True though unlike Frisk who willingly went to the College of Winterhold to learn magic and in particular the bound spells, and Asriel who was given the choice and decided to join the Companions... Chara isn't going to be happy with her choice. That said what's next?
bopdog111: Well next it be Frisk getting into Saarthal, and back with Jin, and the others unaware that the 'King of Worms' is seeing her, Asriel after completing a mission with the Companions joins back, and Chara gets a mysterious letter.
Ulrich362: Sounds like quite a bit, see you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!