CHAPTER 2: MEETING THE KING
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God… his head. It felt like it had been pounding at him. Thumping along with the beat of his soul in a pained rhythm of torture and awakening. A groan left his voice from rolling onto his back at this point. He couldn't see clearly. He felt dizzy. So.. so dizzy. He doesn't remember a whole lot except where his eyes focused a little bit onto the ceiling. The hole. It's still there. Where he had fallen from. Judging by the distance of the hole to the grassy hill, it must've been quite a long distance. Had he not used his bubble at that moment, he would've certainly cracked his skull. Drake blinked bit by bit, fluttering the sleep from his eyes. There isn't any wind here. No sun. No sky. Just… mountain ceiling. Drake would roll back over onto his side where he pressed a palm against his forehead. "..Ow.."
Yeah that's going to leave a mark quite easily. But, now that he's awake.. "Where am I..?" Drake muttered out, glancing at his surroundings. Things were still a bit blurry, but he could make out some colors. Or, rather a lot of them. Drake furrowed his brow, squinting to try and focus on what's going on in front of him. A crowd of beings were surrounding him. Only two gray shiny colors were trying to keep the other colors from advancing onto him. But, now that he's focused on the colors, they also must've noticed he's awake.
'The human! He's awake!'
A few murmurs began to break out now. They were a bit incoherent. Unable to tell who was saying what, but they're there. 'I heard humans were vicious and bloodthirsty!' 'Pssh, they don't look like a threat. Look at the mark on his head!' Another spoke. 'What should we do? If there's a human here, there's probably more!' More murmurs broke out. They seemed INCREDIBLY convinced about Drake being a threat for some reason. What were they talking about? Drake's been on his own! No, if they're going to try anything to do something to Drake, then he should probably try to stand up and shake off the rest of the dizziness.
Drake inhales and exhales a breath. Pushing himself up with one leg out and another one forward. Drake would place his palm back onto his head. Why does he feel so dizzy? He must've smacked his head pretty dang hard on the grass. Had it been any other element or area, he would probably be dead… 'Look! He's standing up! What's he gonna do?' Worried, yet concerned whimpers and whispers continued to talk as they watched Drake stand up from the spot he fell in. His breathing is pacened. The pain and adrenaline is starting to kick in from his situation of being alone and surrounded by.. OH GOD. Drake's eyes widened a little more at the sight before him.
"W-What are you all?" Drake mustered out at them. They weren't.. Humans. No. They looked like something out of a weird dream or a horrible nightmare. This HAD to still be a bad dream, right? Drake just… stared at them in bewilderment. Drake felt frozen.. Yet his soul is not letting him stand still. He had to get away from here! It's brave sometimes to know when to back off, right? Drake felt his soul pumping with that strange tingling sensation inside of him. Like before when he was up there above the hole. The ice floor. When he was falling he had that tingling sensation to save himself.
It was like before when he had that dream a few hours ago where he had to keep going, even if it felt scary and unnatural. Drake needed to get out of here, unaware these two monster sentry guards are the only one keeping him safe right now. Drake turns around and tries to walk forward away from the crowd gasping out in severe pain with tears welling up.
"Aghh! Ahhhn! N-Nnoo!" Drake whimpered out from the sudden crunch of his leg falling back onto his side gripping the grass tightly with his fingers almost ripping out the blades of grass to endure the swelling in his knee. It's red beyond belief. It's.. most certainly misplaced right now. The bone he meant. That fall from the hole must've separated the bone. It's still attached. Not broken, but it's not sitting in the right place. He couldn't remember the word for it. He glanced down at his jeans and rolled up his pant leg, revealing the swollen and reddened wound. His hissed in pain between a pained sob. He had to try and escape! He had to! These monsters would tear him apart no doubt! One of the sentries noticed the young boy trying to limp and crawl away from the crowd and the hill where the bottom would only be met with the river. There's little options he's being given right now. Staring up at them where one is slowly approaching him cautiously. Their armor looked incredibly scary.
"Woah, woah! Hey now, kid! Where are you going!? You're gonna fall! Stop!" The sentry exclaimed, rushing over to the boy. Drake couldn't take any more chances! If these monsters are going to try to hurt him, then they're going to have to try really damned hard to kill him! Drake, with a final cry of pain from his leg, would shove himself off the side of the hill where the guard was too late to grab at Drake.
Drake didn't really prepare a formation to protect his leg or his body, so, moreover he is ragdolling off of the hill rolling downwards towards the river trying to slide himself back into a position where he could ride downwards on his bottom, but the momentum seemed to be already in motion of his body sliding down. His jeans were covered in grassy marks and dirt falling downwards from the sliding motion. He's ever so close to the river. He could see the crystal clear waters of the still-moving water. It was babbling, but looked deep enough to swim in, which must've explained why there was a bridge in the corner of the town now that he noticed it. With the shape of his leg, he's not going to be able to cross that bridge. But, there's going to be another problem once he lands into the water. Due to his leg, he's not going to be able to swim that well!
Drake crashed into the water with a harsh slam into the river, becoming ABSOLUTELY soaked from head to toe in water. Drake didn't even give himself a chance to take in a breath of air! Drake would grunt and whine trying to fight against the currents, pushing with his one good leg and using his arms to make himself go up, but without two legs, he's not going to push himself up very far! Water is filling his lungs. It won't be long until he drowned! He had to quickly think! Use his abilities! C'mon Drake! The young human outstretched his hand against the currents trying to make the water push outward where he'd give himself a chance to get air in his lungs. But they weren't working! Why couldn't he just use his abilities naturally!? This is becoming a pain! This is twice now his abilities are costing him his life! Drake is struggling badly now! He's going to die in this river if he doesn't help himself! Things were becoming hazy.
It's hard to stay conscious as he's struggling to swim. Drake gritted his teeth once more to use both hands. Just think it… just think of the water going away! Is that a way this could help!? No.. He's becoming weak again. He's not fully aware of himself and his body is still trying to awaken itself.
"Help me! Please! Anyone!" His thoughts were going rampant right now. All he could think about is himself dying AGAIN. Or at least nearly dying again. Drake coughs out heavily. Darkness. Swelling. Why did he think this was a good idea? Drake needed… to.. Escape.. This place..
Drake's body felt lighter and last thing he noticed is a gray and blue shaped object becoming bigger and bigger, squinting a bit before falling semi-unconscious. One thing is for certain is that he couldn't move his body anymore. All he felt is something entering into the water with him landing with an even HUGER crash into the water. The currents swaying Drake back and forth idly where something wrapped around his stomach, pulling him away from the bottom of the river. Up and up he went from once floating to the bottom like a rock and then landing rising up like a floatie. Memories passed here and there whilst his mind felt incredibly blank. Drake's memories… of the day everything happened.
They were like a void. But, he still heard the words. The beeping of the hospital technology. His cold, frail body. He could barely move that morning. A transition to a worse life.
"You'll be happier once you go to a new home, Drake. We promise you."
Slung onto wet grass, he felt his body gurgling and wheezing for air. His body lying limp onto his side only to be pulled back onto his back. His head rolled to the side. Then, he felt two hands on his chest. They were rough, but desperate to save his life. Pumping in and out. Whoever is doing this… is giving him CPR? Drake could feel the water beginning to spurt out of his gaping mouth onto the grass. That same water leaves his lungs. 1…2…3.. Breath. 1…2…3.. Breath. Whoever is doing this clearly knows how to give said CPR. Or, at least had a rough idea of how to give it. More memories. 1..2..3.. Breath…
…"I am sorry to say, Drake.. And, I know this is going to be VERY hard to hear.."
The voice cuts out with a regretful trail. ".."
The other agent looked at the other with the same expression. Drake lies cold on a hospital bed.. His skin pale as a ghost. His face is almost blue in color. His shivering insistence. "But we found your.. Your parents hadn't made it Drake. We really tried to save them. But, they were gone upon the arrival onto the scene. I'm sorry." His voice sounded full of pity for the young boy who had gone through so much in one night. Drake remembered when hearing those words. "Parents." "Didn't Make It." He just stared.. so blankly for a moment. Drake felt like he completely shut down on that hospital bed. And all he could do.. is stare out that window and cry. Wondering what he did wrong and what actually happened for him to deserve such a fate as that. Why of all people did they die?
Drake remembered that he told those agents to leave him alone tonight. And he spent that whole night crying his eyes out as if they would come back for him. Drake would get a sense of urgency from the situation that he would be alone for a very long time. They understood that Drake needed time to grieve that morning. But; they are glad to have given him the news now instead of sugar coating it. "Don't worry." They would say.
"You'll be going to a better home where there's people like yourself. You'll be happier. We promise. Just take some time to grieve, Drake. It's a normal thing to do."
GASP.
Drake vomited out what he could rolling onto his side and clutching the wet and freshly spewed out lung water inside of him. His knuckles whitening at that point glad that he's alive and not drowned that for sure. The pain of tightening his knuckles so much made him aware that he could still feel things. He's staring downward trying to get as much of the water out of his lung as best as he could. His voice is gagging and hacking. making all kinds of weird noises at that moment. Only a few other monsters are watching this go down. Again, with the dizziness. It must've been due to the fact he's probably been out of air for the last five or so minutes. Inhaling as much air as he could. Jeez, not even an hour and he's already almost died twice. He's not very good at getting himself into GOOD situations, now is he? Whoever pulled him out of there? Drake would finish up hacking up the rest of the water in his lungs before one of the sentries spoke up. Her voice had a bit of a rasp to it, but it sounded young too.
"Just what the hell are you doing, human!? Human's can't breathe underwater! Don't you know that, you idiot?!" Turning to face whoever is speaking to him. One of the sentries. He furrowed his brow at what he's seeing. It seemed to be a fish monster. Her dark blue skin and face are covered by the same water that he's covered in. She looked to be about 15 or 16 or so. Pretty young to be in the royal guard, that's for sure. Or royal sentry for that matter. Her long red hair soaked and rested against her shoulder. Fangs of annoyance snarled at him. She would scoff.
"Jeez. To think humans have a death wish or something. First you come out of nowhere, now you're trying to swim when you can't!" She crosses her arms. Her armor was completely soaked too. "Got my good armor all messed up too!" Drake panted for a few moments. To be fair, she HAD saved his life when he did it to himself. She didn't HAVE to save him. But, it would probably not look good on the royal guard if they just let someone drown. Either out of the goodness of her own heart or out of interest, whatever it may be he's grateful. He sniffles a breath nodding.
"S-Sorry, miss. Didn' mean t' make things more worse." The fish monster cringed a bit. Apparently that had been the wrong thing to say to her after saving his life.
"Miss?! Jeez, make me sound old, why dontcha? I'm still in training! Name's Undyne. You're lucky I saved you, y'know!" She crossed her arms annoyed.
A sheepish laugh. "Uh.. n-noice t'meetcha Undyne.. Again m'really sorry abou' all this. I wasn' tryna cause trouble. I was jus' scared.. Y'know?" Fear. No. It wasn't exactly fear. Rather, his shock to the unknown. Yeah, he'll just leave it at that. He sits back upright for a moment. Now that drama's over and everything seems to have settled down, Drake could hopefully get some answers as to what's going on. He sits in silence for a moment. Undyne rolling her eyes.
"Yeah yeah, you're fine I guess. Just stop making a habit of trying to kill yourself!" She would get rather tired of his antics already and it's only been an hour. She's heard word that King Asgore himself would be arriving in the Illustrious Sector. This town. It's called Clearport. One of the towns that has rivers directly flowing from Waterfall and one of the quieter towns in the Underground. Nothing much happens here. Mostly just for parents trying to raise their kids into a quiet environment. So much for that one supposed. Drake turned back to Undyne. She's the first he's really talked to since he's arrived so, he'll prod more information from her. Their orders were to keep Drake here in Clearport until Asgore arrived. She wouldn't be surprised he would have a fit about a human being here! Humans weren't allowed in the Underground after all. All Undyne's ever known about humans is the one's she's read in her studies… that she actively avoids doing. She wants to become a captain of the guard one day. But she's too young for that which is why she's a sentry for now until she could become more of age into the Royal Guard. So; she'll babysit the brat she guesses.
"If you must know, you're in the Underground. You're lucky we found you instead of anyone else! They'd have torn ya to shreds!" A hearty laugh. Not exactly helping, but he got the picture. Drake gulped.
"Right.. So, what is th' Underground? I mean! I know what something MEANS Underground, but, what does it actually mean?" The monster stared at him like he had two heads.
"What rock have you been living under? Every human knows about Ebott Mountain! You're here, aren't you?" She had a point. It wouldn't make sense for him just… poof here. Except he did. At least he thinks he did. Drake doesn't look back to Undyne trying to think of something logical to say about that. Except he couldn't. Nothing made sense at all! Drake could only remember bits and pieces at the moment. Like… scattered memories of his arrival. They didn't come up automatically, but they're there. The bits and pieces he does remember, at least. Drake shook his head.
"I.. I don't know. I don't even know HOW I got here. I just.. woke up here." Drake tries to answer. But the questions only remained. Why? So many whys and how's. Drake just DESPERATELY wanted answers to him being here. But, it didn't look like he was going to get any answers anytime soon. Drake sat in a slight criss-cross position with his bad leg still outstretched in front of him near the river he almost drowned in. He couldn't think of anything else to say. Though, with the crowding of monsters beginning to start again, Drake could see a few monsters kneeling down in a comforting manner. They weren't mad with him, it looked like.
Maybe… worried? At least that's what he could tell in their expressions. "I'm.. not in trouble, am I?" Drake nervously asks. By everything that's happened. Ending up here, causing a ruckus with the townsfolk. Having one of the guards to save his life. And now he's at the bottom of the hill with the second sentry now just arriving to quell the crowd again by having them back up away from Drake while Undyne leaned herself against the hill in a cool pose. Her arms folded and one knee bent back. A shrug comes from her.
"I unno'. That's up to our king, not me." She answered truthfully. Drake's head snapped at her at those words.
"K-King!? Hold on! Wait! I'm not in THAT much trouble, am I? I-I know I kinda messed up with you saving me, but, I didn't do anything else besides that! Please, you have to believe me!" Drake pleading with Undyne as if she could help him at all. She raised a brow at this. A human begging a monster for help? Jeez, this turned out to be good. But, it's clear he didn't listen the first time she told him that she didn't have any control over the outcome of Asgore arriving.
"Hey! I just said that I can't do squat, punk! I mean, I can do squats.. But that's besides my point! King's gonna be here at any moment and there jus' ain' nothin' I can do? So just chill out and sit there!" Drake supposed that's as best of an answer he's going to get out of this whole ordeal. A frustrated groan escaped Undyne. When she had personal training from Asgore to become a royal guard, this is NOT what she had in mind. After all, this is just some sort of stupid test if Undyne can hold down the fort, so she won't let him down.
She'll pin Drake to the ground to keep him still if she had to! "Look, if it makes you feel any better; King's probably just gonna talk to you or something." Undyne sighs a breath. "Even I can see it, you're not gonna be moving anytime soon anyway since I saw you hurt your leg earlier. So; sit. Okay?" Uyndye HATED being mushy, but this kid isn't going to listen if she doesn't make it clear for him to stop moving on the leg so much.
—-
He doesn't know how long he's been waiting for. Minutes? An Hour. Drake lies back down onto the grass in the meantime as the crowd seemed to have dispersed. At least most of them did. Those who stayed are mostly just talking amongst themselves. Drake also had a chance to talk more to these monsters, although he's still a little shy with them. They weren't bad or anything. They just haven't seen a human before supposedly. Drake got a little more insight about the town he was in. Clearport. A town with the most crystal clear water. Most of the time he just ended up staring at the water next to him to keep himself occupied. Otherwise he;d just end up staring at the ceiling again. It's given him more time to think now that he's awake and aware of everything happening around him. It's so… odd. How once he came from a world so normal, where magic like this could never exist on that grand scale.
And yet here he is sitting next to a blue fish monster and a handful of other monsters who wanted to talk to Drake too. Life really is surprising. Huddling into a ball and resting his chin as best as he could on his good knee. He's cold. Very cold. His clothing is still soaked to the bone. It's noticeable that he's shivering where he sat. But, it wasn't like anyone had any clothing on hand for them to just give to him. He's also a stranger, so, there's also that fact too. He's still dreading it. Meeting this king that's on his way here. He doesn't know who he is and what he's capable of. Is he intimidating? Is he just as rough around the edges as Undyne? All Drake could do is just keep guessing at this point. Suspense is killing him, though that's for sure.
Drake found it weird how nicer down here it is. The scenery. The people. More than what he had back on the surface, as they call it. Uyndyne seemed cool Couple other monsters too! They were also really nice to him too. It seemed the other sentry besides Undyne took it to rest against the hillside too, mostly just watching over Drake. He wasn't going anywhere, but still.
At that moment, it seemed a buzzing noise was heard by Drake glancing behind him to see one of the sentries flipping open a phone and staring at it. It wasn't state of the art, but it had was reading something. Whispering something to Undyne and the look on her face said it all. "WHAT!? He's coming!? About time! I was dying of boredom!" The sentry that had talked to her had this face of regret of ever opening his mouth. Drake tries to stand up again only for the boy to whine in pain.
"Nnnh! W-Wait! Who's comin'? Th' King?" Drake tried to talk to Undyne as she ran off to go greet the king it would seem.
"Obviously! Who else would it be?" Drake tried to respond but she's gone. Drake hummed nervously. The sentry could see that Drake is uneasy right now, and it's best that he tried to comfort Drake. He may have been a human. But he's still a very young human. The sentry knows he didn't do anything wrong. He would approach the boy with Drake glancing up at the approaching monster. He would kneel down to the height of Drake and pressed a hand against his shoulder.
"It's true. Asgore is here now. But, don't worry okay, kid? He's a really good guy. I'm sure everything is going to be okay." Reassuring the other and leaving to go meet with the King as well leaving Drake all alone. Drake sits back down onto the grass as his knee is starting to give him problems again. Then it's time to explain himself as to why he's here and how he got here. He just really hoped he wasn't in a lot of trouble because of it. Drake waits again. Watching the river currents pass him by adjusting the pink scarf close to his face for comfort. Her scent has faded, but that didn't mean it still didn't bring him great comfort whenever he's in times of distress. Drake waits again. Until the certain noises of the clanking of armor had arrived back again to give Drake a sense of hope and anxiety. The first sentry arrived and cleared his throat.
"Alright kid, we gave Asgore the rundown of what's going on so just so you're aware. He just wants to talk to you for a bit, that's all." He stated through the semi-muffled tone of his helmet.
The sentry stood back up from his knelt position and would step out of the way as two more figures would approach. Undyne with her helmet on this time. And another, more bulkier monster next to her that easily outsized her. His best hunch is to think that this guy is their king that they've been talking about. He looked so.. Fancy. He had large curling horns. A big blonde beard onto his face that would've put humans to shame. A purple cloak with gold pauldrons as if. The guy looked about 7 or eight feet tall compared to Drake's measly 4 foot size.
Drake knows that the sentry said that he's a good guy, but with that bulk, it's hard to NOT be intimidated by that. How can someone tell you that a person is all nice and good and then have the guy twice your size and muscle!? Drake swallows the hard lump in his throat. The two exchanged glances at one another as if studying each other. The goat monster's expression softened at the sight of 's been quite a journey, but to see that the reports were totally right about Drake. A real human is here in front of his very eyes. 11 years. Only two have fallen. Call it either sheer luck or stupid coincidence. Drake decided to make the first move of conversation.
"Uhm.. th-this is probably a stupid question, buh, are you.. Th' king everyone's been talkin' about..?" Drake felt as though that it had been a stupid question. Still, he's going to ask it anyway. As if the crown and pauldrons didn't give it away at first glance. Drake tries to stand up again with the strain on his leg making it harder to stand up straight. Drake grunted off a pained noise. His jeans pant leg rolled up still. He figured it would make the bone hurt LESS if it actually got open air to breathe and heal… he's never watched any sort of Doctor show clearly. Drake gives a small bow like you would to a prince in a fairytale.. Although Drake's leg didn't make it any easier for him to complete the full bow so he looked awkward doing it. A sheepish grin that showed he's embarrassed about the bow formation form.
Asgore is taken aback by this slightly when Drake attempts this, giving a laugh in return and knelt down to Drake's height where the size difference couldn't be so intimidating. "Ah, I am pleased to see you're a quite polite human too! But there is no need for that, young human. I suppose that the reports forgot to mention that you were a human child." Now, the sentry and Undyne are a LITTLE bit embarrassed about this oversight when telling the Sergeant about what they found in Clearport. Undyne nervously laughed.
"Ahhaa.. Yeah.. didn' t think about that. Apologies, your highness." Undyne would rub the back of her neck shamefully. Humans looked the same anyway.
"It's no bother, Undyne, I assure you both. What matters is that you both did your job excellently to keep the young human safe here until my arrival. It seems that things have simmered down here?" Asgore asks, making sure none of the monsters bothered Drake before his arrival. Undyne would huff.
"Yeah, none of the monsters tried to do anything stupid. Though they sure were talking a LOT. And the human here decided to take a swim with a broken leg I think." A glance down at Drake. Drake whined. He REALLY hoped she would've left that out. But, given the fact he's soaking wet is a clear indication of his 'swim'.
Asgore too picked up on this with how absolutely drenched his clothing, plus the shivering that Drake is enduring right now. The poor thing must've been freezing and in pain. Undyne mentioned a broken leg? Asgore glanced down at the pant leg where the still swollen skin is red and hot. Even through his shivering, it's very warm. Asgore was no doctor… but he knew of one down the way that Asgore could talk to.
"I see. I apologize for my late arrival. It seems that Clearport was farther than I had anticipated. But I'm here now! That's what matters. Human? What is your name?" His name? Oh, he thought that the sentries would've told him that? Or did he not mention his name? He doesn't remember. That long period of waiting made him forgetful. Drake smiled a little at this polite gesture.
"M'name is Drake, sir." Err.. "I mean.. Yur highness?" Close enough. Drake just met Asgore and he already felt like he's embarrassing himself in front of him. Very polite indeed. Asgore would adjust Drake's hoodie to snuggle up close to him more decently now that it's somewhat dried after laying out in the grass.
"Asgore will do just fine, Drake. My title is not necessary." He wanted Drake to feel comfortable around him and not continuously feel like he had to correct himself with formalities. There's a more pressing matter at hand anyway. Drake's clothing situation would have to wait. What's more important is that swollen and inflamed leg of his. Asgore reached out a little startling Drake with his sudden movements. "Ah, I apologize young Drake. I merely wish to inspect your injury if you don't mind me examining it." Asgore offers. First time anyone has actually tried to offer to look at his injury instead of letting it fester. To be fair, no one in Clearport really had the necessary training to look at that kind of thing. So; hopefully Asgore knew more than the citizens of the town did.
"Oh… Yeah, I don' moind. Sorry.. This is all jus'.. Really weird for me today." Drake tries to excuse as if his life previously hasn't been full of misadventure at this point. Drake hoped it wasn't ACTUALLY broken, because he wasn't going to be able to move if that's the case. Drake is trying to place more balance into the other side of his hip so he wasn't placing as much pressure onto the knee. It wasn't any better as it is still causing him great pain. He hisses in pain moving it wrong. "Scchhh.. This hurts REALLY bad, mister Asgore." Drake complained as he wouldn't be able to stand much on it any longer, slowly resting himself back into a sitting position. "I-I don't think I'll be able to stand like that. It hurts too much." Drake hoped this wouldn't be a problem or would he have to wait for a doctor? Because all this sitting around is making him bored for one and two, he knows this wouldn't go anywhere if there was no doctor.
Asgore would lean in and inspect the inflamed skin. The bone is misaligned. Thankfully not broken. Unfortunately for Drake, this meant he'd have to see a doctor or someone in the medical field to set it back. Which would NOT be a pleasant experience. Thankfully, Asgore DID know of a doctor. He has an old friend back in the couple towns over that would be able to assist Drake. The Underground isn't huge, but there are a few places that are unexplored which would be the Illustrious Sector. A sector of beauty and grace. So; once Asgore could get Drake to the Inn where his friend worked at, only then could Drake get more medical help and rest. Two in one! Drake wouldn't be going anywhere with that wound however. So; Asgore decided to carry the human onto his back for the time being until there was a more suitable way for Drake to travel or unless Drake's leg heals itself which, by itself would be weeks to a couple months for the body to entirely fix it. It wasn't going to be a pleasant experience.
So; Asgore would give it to Drake straight, but being a child; he'd sugar coat it a bit so it didn't scare Drake too much. nothing to worry about, young Drake. The good news is that it isn't broken. However it is from what I can tell not sitting right. I cannot determine this for sure. But I have someone I am in close contact with some ways from the castle IS a doctor. Or, rather used to be.. Thankfully you landed a few towns over from the Citadel. I would worry too much about your traveling conditions if you did not." A way of saying 'You'd essentially be in a lot of pain even from me having to carry you.' He would continue. "Fear not! We will make haste to the Starry Bound Inn! I know this town very closely. It's some way from the Hotlands too which will save us time and travel." With that Asgore stood back up from his position. "I cannot allow you to travel on your leg, so I will carry you there." Drake bleated in surprise.
"Are-are you sure?! I-I don't want to make a fool out of you.." Drake grits his teeth. His time in THAT place had really taken a dive on his confidence a bit. Asgore laughed sheepishly.
"Well, we certainly can't have you moving on a leg that's nearly breaking now can we?" Suppose not… Asgore had a fair point. "I promise I don't mind, young Drake. We should get moving because it is growing very late and I do not wish for you to be in soaking clothes or in pain all night. Undyne, could you please set him near my pauldrons?" Asgore asks his guard in training. Undyne grinned.
"You've got it, your highness! Up you go!" Hopping forward nearby the human child. Quickly yoinking Drake from off the ground carrying him with his legs dangling below him and her arms outstretched in front of her. "Nyagh! You've got some weak legs, little man. Don't worry! Asgore's gonna fix you right up! Should we meet again, I'm gonna make sure your legs never break again! Got it?!" Drake stared at her in shock.
"Uh… Sure?" He answered confusedly at the fish monster's request. He had a feeling he isn't allowed to say no..
Asgore's expression grimaced.
"Gently please.." He advises since he knows how Undyne can be a little.. Rough with monsters.
"Alright, finnne." She groaned and carefully placed the human onto the larger monster's back where Drake clung onto the back of his cape. Asgore's height is really tall. Now that he's riding onto his back that is he noticed this more directly as he's quite a bit up from the ground itself.
"Woaaah.." Drake muttered clutching his fists tighter onto the cape of Asgore. He really did not want to accidentally fall from here and actually break his leg.
Asgore notices the clutching onto his cape as he's moving away from the river and beginning to leave Clearport.
"Don't worry, Drake. I'll be sure to go as slow or fast as you need me to. Just relax for now. You're in safe hands."
The town becomes much smaller and smaller as they're walking along the dirt road back towards this town near Hotlands supposedly. Drake would strangely feel safer with Asgore now. He doesn't know why, but the idea of the king protecting a human sounded a LOT better than a fish monster who could easily throw him around. The thought itself made him nervous.
Drake couldn't roughhouse like she could. But he did agree to train with Undyne one day, so he'd have to live with that. For now, he's just glad that he could finally leave Clearport and get somewhere that he could get rest at. Maybe a good shower could help too. Wait. Did Monsters even HAVE showers? Drake will just hope for the best for the time being until they arrive in the Town nearby Hotlands. Drake's cheek rested down against the back of his neck watching the river as they're walking by. Slowly getting more and more exhausted as time went by. Until the young boy decided to just rest right there and then.
They'll arrive shortly and once they do, Asgore could place Drake under protection at the Inn. Unfortunately, Asgore couldn't stay with Drake. He'll ask questions tomorrow about Drake and his situation. He's sure that he's been through enough as it is…
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Hey guys! I know this one went on a little longer but! I'm glad to have gotten it done! I always loved the idea that even with faced with something new, Asgore is still a soft dad mode and always caring about others. I hope I'm doing Asgore's character justice! If there's anything I could do better with the characters, let me know!
Asgore can't stay with the human, and Drake is still suffering with his injury as they travel to the next town over! What will happen then? Stay tuned for chapter three soon!