Darkness is all I've ever known. It's all they should fear. My only desire is the destruction of the timeline. I've walked countless paths. I've destroyed every creature in the underground. I've done so without a second thought. Frisk is nothing but a distant memory now. Yet despite all of my genocides, nothing has changed. The comedian still reveals nothing new. No matter how often I reset the world, it stays the same repetitive theme. Not even the "man who speaks in hands" surprises me anymore. Yet, it doesn't matter to me now. This world's endless repetition holds no weight for me now. Only my curiosity keeps me going. I must see what lies at the end of each timeline. And so, the story begins again. The same cycle plays out once more. I never know if this time it might be different. Well, Sans, are you ready for another round? Let's both hope you are...
"It's a beautiful day outside. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming... Well, you know how it goes, kid. But really, why pretend? We both know the truth. There's no point in dragging this out. So, let's not waste time. Let's just get this over with."
The battle raged like a chaotic carnival, with blasters, bones, and slashes tearing through the corridors. In just a minute, Sans fell, followed swiftly by Asgore, marking the end of another timeline. Another genocide was complete, and my latest milestone was reached. I pressed the ERASE button to reset it all, but nothing happened. For hours, I waited in silence, anticipation fading into confusion as everything remained unchanged.
And then, something unexpected happened.
For once, something new occurred. The timeline refused to be erased. It was almost as if it were fighting back against my actions. Suddenly, the ground beneath me shook violently. Instinctively, I retreated into the save screen for safety. To my utter delight, I witnessed the most incredible sight. The underground was splitting in two. Cracks appeared everywhere, tearing through the air itself. They spread rapidly, covering my entire field of vision. The cracks widened further, shattering the universe into pieces. I couldn't contain my laughter as I watched it unfold. At last, I had done what I had sought to achieve; something new!
But deep down, I knew this was only the beginning. The excitement was far from over. Soon, something strange caught my eye. The universe began to reconstruct itself. Yet, there was something off about it. It was different, and I couldn't wait to uncover what came next.
As the universe pieced itself back together, I could feel an unfamiliar energy in the air. It wasn't the same world I had shattered; it was something new, something unpredictable. The cracks left behind faint, glowing trails, like scars etched into the fabric of reality itself. Each fragment that reformed seemed to hum with a strange, ominous resonance, as though the universe was alive and aware of my presence. For the first time in countless resets, I felt a twinge of uncertainty, and with it, a thrill I hadn't experienced in ages.
Chapter 1: New Determination
When the world reconstructed itself, I found myself standing in a place that felt both unfamiliar and oddly familiar. Beneath me, silver flowers covered the ground, their petals glowing softly in the dim light. They were unlike the golden flowers I knew so well, and their quiet shimmer felt different. The air was still, almost heavy, as though this world was waiting for something. I bent down to touch one of the flowers, but there was no reaction, no change. It felt like a simple, silent moment, and that unsettled me. Looking around, I noticed subtle differences in the environment; shadows seemed sharper, and colors were muted as if this world was unfinished. In the distance, I could make out a structure that resembled the ruins I had seen before, but it was pristine and glamorous in ways I hadn't expected. The save point I instinctively reached for flickered with strange, irregular light. There was no reassuring text, only empty text. A soft, distorted melody played somewhere, but it wasn't familiar. It lingered in the background like a forgotten memory, almost haunting.
As I moved further into this strange world, my eyes caught sight of something unexpected. In the distance, a towering red temple stood against the pale sky, its jagged edges starkly different from the old purple ruins I was familiar with. The structure's walls were smooth, with strange symbols etched across them, glowing faintly in the dim light. The air around it felt charged as if the temple itself were alive and waiting. There was no sign of the familiar, comforting remnants of the past; everything felt foreign. I couldn't shake the feeling that this place was more than just a building, but that it was a part of something much larger. As I approached, I felt an unsettling pull toward the entrance, despite my better judgment. I stepped forward, wondering what awaited me inside, hoping for answers but dreading what I might find.
The entrance loomed before me as if daring me to enter and face whatever lay beyond.
Inside, the red temple was a labyrinth of twisting halls and towering columns, each one more intricate than the last. The walls were adorned with more glowing symbols, their meanings unclear but somehow foreboding. I wandered through narrow corridors, each one seemingly identical to the last, the air thick with dust and the weight of silence. My footsteps echoed off the stone, amplified by the strange acoustics of the temple. Every turn I took led me deeper into the maze, the layout becoming increasingly disorienting. I felt a strange sense of being watched, though I saw no one. The path split again and again, each choice leading to more dead ends and hidden chambers. Some rooms were empty, while others held strange relics, their purposes lost to time. A faint glow in the distance caught my eye, and I instinctively moved toward it, hoping it was a way forward. The deeper I went, the more the temple seemed to shift, as if it were alive and reacting to my movements. I paused at one intersection, unsure which path to take, my mind racing with confusion. The markings on the walls began to change, their shapes shifting as if they were mocking my uncertainty. I took a step forward, then hesitated, wondering if I was making a mistake. A sudden chill ran down my spine as I felt the presence of something lurking in the shadows, just beyond my reach. My heart pounded, but I pushed forward, determined to find something, anything at all, that would make sense of this place. But every hallway I walked down only seemed to lead to more dead ends. The temple's endless corridors and strange design were wearing me down, each wrong turn feeling like a step closer to being lost forever. I began to wonder if this temple was designed to keep me trapped, its endless twists and turns meant to confuse and disorient. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I reached a large chamber, the glowing light brighter now, and I couldn't help but wonder if I had found what I was looking for, or if it had found me.
As I stepped into the large chamber, I noticed a small, inviting house tucked into one corner. Its warm light spilling out of the windows seemed oddly comforting in the cold, unfamiliar space.
The door was slightly ajar, so I knocked gently, hoping to find someone who might offer guidance. The door creaked open, and instead of Toriel's goat-like figure, a deer-like monster greeted me with a warm smile, their soft, caring eyes studying me, and they seemed to sense my confusion immediately. "Oh my, a human child in The Underneath? You must be lost, my child. Care to come inside?" they gestured in a gentle voice, stepping aside to welcome me inside.
I stood frozen for a moment, unsure if I should trust this stranger, but the kindness in their tone was reassuring. The kind monster motioned for me to step inside, and I reluctantly obeyed, feeling a bit of hope stir in my chest. The house was cozy, filled with the comforting scent of freshly baked bread and something sweet simmering in the oven. "You must be exhausted dear child," the stranger said, their voice warm and motherly like Toriels. "Come, sit by the fireplace. It's not safe to wander around here on your own."
She gestured to a chair near the hearth, her voice soft and inviting. "Please, make yourself comfortable," she urged, her presence radiating a warmth that made me feel like I could finally relax. "It's not often I have visitors, especially ones who seem so lost." I sat down, feeling the weight of my journey lift just a little in the comfort of her home. "My name is Valerie dear child," she introduced herself with a gentle smile, "and you are?" I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should reveal my true name, but her kindness made me feel safe enough to answer. "Chara," I said softly, not knowing what to expect from this new world. Valerie smiled warmly as if my name didn't matter, and her kindness reminded me of Toriel's comforting presence. "Well, Chara," she said, "You're welcome here, as this place is always open to those in need." She gestured to the table where a fresh pot of tea was steeping, her movements slow and purposeful. "You must be hungry or thirsty after such a long journey," she said kindly, offering me a cup of tea. I took it gratefully, feeling the warmth of the cup in my hands, and slowly began to relax. "The Underneath can be a dangerous place for someone on their own," Valerie continued, her voice filled with concern. "But you're safe here, my dear. Take your time to rest. You're not alone anymore."
After Valerie had shown me to the guest bedroom, I sat down on the bed, trying to make sense of everything. I wondered if Asriel existed in this world, especially since Flowey had not attempted to greet me earlier.
As I lay there, I thought about how odd it was that Valerie lived alone in this strange place. There was no sign of anyone else, no family, no friends, as if it was just Valerie, who had welcomed me with such warmth. It reminded me of how New Home, the place where Asgore lived in the other world, was often empty except for him. I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever happened to the original world, whatever changes had taken place here, must have left Asriel somewhere hidden. I couldn't help but wonder if this new place for New Home was where Asriel might be now. Valerie's gentle demeanor made me think that she might know more, but she seemed too kind to have any answers about what was going on. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn't afford to wait. I couldn't stay here forever, even if Valerie had been kind to me. The curiosity gnawed at me, and I decided that if Asriel was somewhere out there, I needed to find him. I needed to know what had happened to him, if he was still here, or if he had turned into something else, or if he was lost forever. My mind raced with the possibilities, and I found myself pacing around the room, staring at the door to Valerie's home. Valerie had given me everything I needed to rest, but I couldn't rest, not with so many questions unanswered. I quietly slipped from the bed, making sure to move as silently as I could. I had no plan, and no idea of where exactly to go, but my gut told me I had to act now. I quietly made my way into the living area, where Valerie had been moments ago, humming as she worked. As she turned her back to tend to something in the kitchen, I knew this was my chance. My hand brushed over the sharp edge of a knife on the counter, the cold metal sending a shiver through my fingers. Without hesitation, I took the knife and approached Valerie from behind.
She never saw it coming. I brought the knife down quickly and decisively. Valerie crumpled, her body turning to dust before my eyes in an instant, just like all the other monsters in the previous world. There was no blood, nor no mess, but only dust floating gently in the air where she had stood. I stood there for a moment, the weight of what I'd just done settling in. I didn't feel any regret, only the knowledge that the path forward was now clear. I didn't know if Asriel was truly somewhere nearby, but I couldn't stay here any longer. Valerie had been kind, but her home, her life, was just another obstacle in my way. I needed to find the answers that only the next part of this world could give me. Slowly, I walked out of the house, careful not to look back at the dust that was once Valerie. The door closed behind me with a soft thud, and I stepped out into the Red Temple's eerie quiet. The air felt colder now, the silence pressing against my chest. My footsteps echoed loudly in the empty temple, but I didn't stop to listen. I had a purpose now, and there was no time to waste. I moved quickly, making my way toward the exit, the temple's labyrinth behind me.
As I exited the temple, the world outside felt both vast and suffocating. There was no turning back now. I didn't know what awaited me beyond the Red Temple, but my mind was set. The thought of finding Asriel, or whatever had happened to him, pushed me forward. I didn't care if I was alone in this world anymore; nothing else mattered. I had made my decision, and I would see it through. I kept walking, never once glancing back at the temple behind me. My only focus was the unknown road ahead. The darkness of the world felt less daunting now that I had a purpose. Every step felt like I was getting closer to the answers I sought.
As I made my way through the unfamiliar terrain, I thought of Valerie's home and her kindness. It was a brief moment of hesitation, but I pushed it aside. There was no time for guilt, no time to second-guess my choices. Asriel was out there somewhere, and that was all that mattered. The path forward was clear, and I would follow it until I found what I was looking for.
The land outside the Red Temple was vast and open, stretching out endlessly in front of me. The world here was harsh, its beauty hidden beneath layers of light and shadow. I walked for what felt like hours, my feet never tiring, and my mind focused solely on finding what was lost. I passed strange, crumbling structures, their purpose unclear, remnants of a world that had long since faded. There were no signs of life, no creatures, no plants, just the emptiness of this new Underground. The further I went, the more I felt the weight of the world pressing in on me. But despite the oppressive silence, something inside me pushed me forward, urging me on. There was no turning back, not now. The road ahead twisted and turned, but it always felt like it led to something greater, something I couldn't yet see. I wasn't sure if I would find Asriel, but my heart told me to keep going. The world seemed to shift as I walked, as if it were watching, waiting for me to make my move. A cold wind swept through the air, but I didn't flinch. I had a purpose now, and nothing was going to stop me from reaching it. Wherever Asriel was, I would find him, and I would not stop until I did.