After visiting Sans, you went to the table with the lockboxes to meet up with Dad again.
You saw Copman inspecting the contents together with Dad, Flowey, and Chara. It also looked like he’s recording their testimony with his phone.
Flowey finished his sentence, “…and that’s what happened. Okay. You got what you want. Can you stop bugging us now?”
“Not yet,” said Roger Eldin. “I got lots to quiz your former-human friend on here.”
Chara glared. “I don’t believe you have the right authorization. You’re just a normal non-magical cop.”
“Joke’s on you.” The copman drew out a square of paper out of his pocket and placed it on the table. “You forgot that I work with the Old Thymer.”
Chara picked it up to read it. “…Great. It’s a warrant. Signed by the curry-lover himself.”
You walked up to the table and greeted everyone.
“Howdy, Frisk.”
“Greetings.”
“My child, how did it go?”
You said it went well.
Looking to the Copman, you asked him if you can return one of the items to their original owner.
“You daft, kiddo? These are evidence. Can’t hand them out willy-nilly.”
Pointing at the item in question, you asked if that counted as evidence too? The original owner is still very much alive…
“…Uhhh, I dunno about that.”
You clasped your hands together, silently pleading for his mercy.
Roger rubbed his nose. “Alright, alright. I suppose I won’t be needing that wee trinket anyway.”
Thanks.
You walked towards the box at the farthest end and opened it.
Heart Locket, obtained!
Then, you tried to give it to Chara.
“Don’t you want to keep it?” they asked.
You appreciate the gesture, but you don’t feel right doing so. Chara isn’t a ghost haunting you anymore. It feels like you’re stealing from them.
“Frisk. You and I know that Asriel gave it to you as proof of his friendship. He rightfully said I wasn’t a very good person, and that you’re a much better friend than he could ever hope for. Are you trying to insult his decision?”
You frowned, irritated by Chara’s behaviour. It’s NOT an insult!
“Then why? I… I don’t deserve that. Not after what I did.”
As if you weren’t in the same position. Your decisions have gotten you stuck in the current kerfuffle. Yet, you have no choice but to move forward.
You want both Chara and Flowey to be able to live their own life. A fresh start, free from the sins of their pasts.
Flowey pointed to himself. “What? Me too?”
Of course! All three of you deserve a second chance, Flowey included. Why else would you have tried to rescue him so many times? It felt unfair that you moved on while he’s stuck alone somewhere.
If you can’t return him into a fluffy goat, then you’re going to do the next best thing: by offering Chara and Flowey their own lives, as ‘Best Friends Forever’. Right now, you want to return this locket as proof of YOUR friendship and to reinforce theirs. Flower or human, you’re all siblings of the Dreemurr family.
Chara struggled with your suggestion. They flipped through stages of denial and anxiety a few times, digesting what you had just said.
In the end, the rosy-cheeked one smirked at you. “Giving new meanings to old things, huh? I guess I can’t argue. Alright then, I’ll accept our new pact.”
Flowey added, “Leave it to Frisk to make that ‘new meaning’ sappy too.”
And so, Chara ‘equipped’ the Heart Locket with a warm, genuine smile. Now that’s a rare sight. “Thank you, Frisk.”
Showing a thumbs-up to Chara, you said, ‘No problem!’.
Loud sobbing interrupted your fuzzy feel-good moment. It came from Dad, who was so moved by what you’ve done he’s bawling his eyes out.
“My children,” he mumbled, “They’re getting along. I am so happy.” From then onwards, it became a string of sentimental babbling that you couldn’t understand. It must be a dream come true for him.
Meanwhile, Copman Roger just sat there professionally, waiting for the drama to be over.
Crap. It must be weird for him. You apologized for the awkward situation.
“Eh, whatever,” he said. “As a cop, you’re always the middle of someone else’s soap opera. Nice to see your family getting all their ducks in a row though.”
You’re not sure if that’s the right slang to use, but you appreciate his sentiment.
Papyrus then barged into the lobby area in his typical Papyrus fashion. Lady Lucidia followed behind him with a file in her hand.
And so he announced: “JUDGE THYME IS CALLING FOR EVERY HUMAN IN THIS BUILDING. I’M TOLD THAT ANYONE WHO WANTS TO ATTEND THE MEETING NEEDS TO SIGN AN ‘NDA’. IN CASE YOU’RE WONDERING, IT STANDS FOR ‘NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT’.”
That sounds… Major. With a capital M.
Isn’t it too soon? The transfer wasn’t supposed to take place until after midnight.
"I THOUGHT SO TOO. BUT APPARENTLY MISTER MAGUS WANTS TO START AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.”
That said, Papyrus went around to fetch the other human guests. Aiden and his two sons emerged from Mettaton’s temporary studio, while Mezil’s friends came from the dining area.
Grillby guarded Lady Lucidia, looking serious and staying silent. Meanwhile, Papyrus played the role of her assistant, helping her distribute the papers to everyone.
She explained: “By signing this NDA, you’re legally bound to not speak to anyone about what Judge Thyme will discuss. If you break this clause, you will face prosecution. Anyone who believes that they cannot bear the burden of silence should not sign this. For minors below 18 years old, your parent or guardian’s consent is also required in addition to your signature.”
You observed the reactions of those around you.
Edmund, Cenna, and Roger signed the documents without a second thought. You could tell that they’ve done this many times.
While handing over the document, Copman remarked: “It’s in my bloody job description by now, Lady Lucidia.”
“Same here.” Mister Cool Private Investigator added, “Been working on a need-to-know basis with Mez for the past quarter century.”
Cenna too. “Count me three. Dunno why Mez keeps making redundant documents. I’m a Vanquisher, y’know!”
For Team Local Humans, only Jacob, Victor, and Rosemary were left. The young teenager was the most nervous of the bunch.
“A-am I supposed to sign this?” she asked. “I’m barely an adult. I just turned eighteen last February. I don’t feel grown up at all…”
Jacob replied, “You can always decline, Rose. No one is forcing your hand.”
“What about you? You might be a ‘Barfellow’, but Mom will notice if you try to hide family matters…”
“I-I know! Yet, at the same time I’ve always wondered why Mezil acts the way he does.”
As you understood, Jacob was not your usual drink-mixer. You’ve heard of taverns, pubs, and bars that double as information brokers in ye olden days. They sell information, from tourist curiosities to the latest news of wanted criminals. However, most modern establishments dropped the intel-gathering side to focus on the food and beverage business.
“I think 25 years is long enough.” With that said, Jacob signed the NDA.
Meanwhile, Victor stared at the document with a serious face. “…I will finally know what’s troubling Seonbae all these years.”
The girl asked, “Is this your first rodeo too, Uncle Victor?”
“No. But like Jacob, I can sense that this is going to answer the endless string of questions that began 25 years ago. I’m not sure I’m ready. StilI, I can’t chicken out. I owe Seonbae my life: freedom, career, and all.”
“Therefore!” He raised his pen dramatically, “I -- Victor Fitzroy -- pledge my loyalty!”
Wow. You didn’t know he had such a fiery side. That’s another paper signed.
His actions inspired Rosemary. “…Yeah. I get your point. Gotta get my personal reason sorted out, right? Well… for me… I want to know if I can ever be anything more than a bartender’s daughter.”
“During Mettaton’s livestream, I learned that my uncle didn’t become rich by marrying upwards. He wasn’t a pompous pencil pusher or a sleazy politician. He was a true blue 100% legit combat Magus with a godly sense of justice! If I have even a fraction of what he has, maybe I’ll have the motivation to go back to school.”
Thus Rosemary joined in too, though she looked rather nervous.
By now, it’s down to Aiden, his family, Anise Anise, and you.
Aiden read the words with great intensity, ever cautious. You don’t blame him. Formal papers are scary enough for locals, let alone foreigners.
After much contemplation, he put down his signature. Turning towards his sons, he spoke to them in their native language. You could tell that he’s warning them about the possible ramifications.
Dayton signed it soon after, carrying an expression that screamed: ‘I don’t wanna be a coward’. He’s very self-conscious about stuff like that.
On the other hand, his brother Niton was struggling more with using the pen than anything else. It seemed that he was trying to imitate his father. Dayton shook his head, telling him he shouldn’t copy another person.
“Papyrus?” asked Dayton, “My brother never made a signature before.”
“I SEE! WHAT SHOULD HE DO, LADY LUCIDIA?”
The sapphire Seer replied: “He may write down the name ‘Niton’ as proof of acknowledgement. If not, a thumbprint will do.”
Niton was overjoyed to hear that. So, he wrote down his name in simple ABC.
Then, a big twist happened. Anise Anise returned the document blank.
Her actions shocked Cenna the most. “Eeeehhh?! Why?? You’re an Alchemist under Mez’s direct employ! Isn’t it better for you to understand what he’s going through?”
Anise tried to hide under her hood. “I… have my guesses. I just don’t want him to feel like he has to think twice around me.”
“Oh. You don’t want to risk changing the work relationship with him. Something like that?”
“Exactly. I’m sorry, Cenny.”
“It’s A.O.K, Anise. I understand.”
You were the only human left who had yet to submit the NDA. It goes without saying that you agreed to the terms. This paper was more of a formality to you than a legal binding.
But there was one snag: Mom was late. It seemed that she had so much work to do she lost track of time. Would the contract be valid with only Dad’s signature?
Dad said, “Please wait for a little while more, Frisk. I do not want your mother to be left out in matters like these.”
Right on cue, you heard the wheels of a car grinding against the road. You ran to the window to look outside.
Lo and behold, it’s Mom! You hopped over to the entrance and opened the door in advance for her.
She hurried out of the car in such haste, she bumped her head on the ceiling. Ouch.
“Frisk!” she exclaimed, “I am so, so sorry. The teacher’s meeting lasted longer than I realised.”
It’s okay. But what about her head?
“Do not worry, my child. It will be fine after a slight rub.” Then she did exactly that to soothe her little bump.
You showed Mom the NDA and explained to her what had happened.
“You are quite right. Very well, I shall affirm your decision together with your father.”
And so, the King and Queen of Monsters approved your approval. All humans had consented to the Supreme Judge’s demands.
Once Lady Lucidia collected all the documents, she instructed: “Crimson Keeper Frisk, apply your protection to Papyrus and Sir Grillenn. They shall assist you in this matter. In the present predicament, Judge Thyme’s Mark presents a liability.”
Okay. You prepared yourself to plant two proxy Marks. What should your motto be for this round? Your choice of words may give subtle bonuses that you may not account for.
Hmmm… Edmund’s words reminded you about the highest point of your Undertale adventure. Once upon a time, you called for help and your friends answered.
You are Determined to help and be helped.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Your red star seeped into their SOULS.
Papyrus wasted no time to support you. “I -- THE GREAT PAPYRUS -- PROMISE TO KEEP HIS WORD! NYEH HEH HEH!”
Thanks Papyrus, for always being there.
On the other hand, Grillby seemed surprised by your command. You had expected such, as he was not among the Lost Souls in your battle with Asriel.
He said, “…Rest assured, I won’t let personal feelings interfere…”
You tell him that you will do what you need to rebuild his trust, starting with this event.
* Papyrus and Grillby joined the party.
Why not have Mom and Dad join too? They’re super strong Boss Monsters. You can think of many ways their powers could be useful.
“The King and Queen of Monsters cannot risk their lives in this matter.”
…Huh? You’re confused. It’s always the family tradition to lead the charge.
“It’s exactly why they cannot. Should anything happen, they must remain to hold the country together. Do you understand, Frisk?”
You nodded. Reluctantly.
On the other hand, Aiden spoke up. “Sky Witch, I was told that this is going to be a transfer. Yet, you’re treating this like a battle. What’s going on?”
Victor too. “I thought we’re going to get a reveal about Mezil. Why would there be a battle? And what’s this transfer thing about?”
“It’s best if matters could be resolved peacefully,” she replied. “However, we must always prepare for the worst case scenario. Please do not worry. Only Aiden of Aratet, Papyrus, Sir Grillenn, and Crimson Keeper Frisk shall participate. The other humans will spectate from a safe distance.”
Rosemary grumbled, “That doesn’t answer anything…”
“My husband shall explain the rest.”
The teenager’s frustrations were understandable. You used to think the Tsun’s methods were super annoying too. But now, you knew what to expect of him. A bit of patience goes a long way.
Your entourage was escorted deeper into The Lab. You remembered this path led to one of Alphys’ test chambers. You had a big rodeo on Papyrus’ out-of-control blaster there, and it exploded into a big puff of soot. The washing machine cried that day.
In hindsight, those were the simple and fun times. You smiled a bit in nostalgia.
The lyrical pluckings of a lute greeted you. They came from an Oriental bard dressed in elaborate fiery clothes, standing at the far side. You don’t know when he arrived or why, but if he’s here now, then he must be important in some way.
“Oh, that’s Hajikami Hua.” Cenna explained, “He’s a friend of House Berendin. Peculiar guy. Definitely a high-level Magus. Otherwise the Lute of Souls would have drained all his stamina by now.”
A magical lute, huh?
“Yeah. It’s how Mez is keeping Persona quiet. For the time being, at least.”
Huh. That’s cool.
Speaking of Supreme Judge Mezil Thyme, that Tsunderjudge sat on a lone chair in the back of the room. His Mark glowed on the surface of the door behind him, signifying its conversion into a Spirit Gate.
Doesn’t that door lead to a closet? Oh well… it’s not like he hadn’t done that before. You remembered how he turned a hospital’s cleaning room into his Hub’s entrance.
Lifting his head, Mezil called for you. “Frisk. Cenna. Stand by my side. See what I see.”
He sounds more severe than usual. Cenna stood by his right, and you stood by his left. From here, you get to observe everyone’s reactions.
“Welcome,” said the Tsunderjudge. “You who signed your name upon the oath of secrecy, listen well.”
“During your lifetime, you may have been tested for the colour of your Psychia. A human will always have one main ‘Major’ and two ‘Minor’ Aspects. The guidelines you’ve received would have detailed the expected powers of six of those traits. And yet for the Red trait -- Determination -- it had this statement: ‘Contact the closest Magus Association Headquarters’. If you had followed it through, a Magus would have spoken to you in person. If you had ignored the call, they would have done their damndest to reach you.”
“This is because the Red Aspect is special. Few people know what it truly holds, and fewer still are capable of using it. Yet, those who’re blessed to grasp its power could shape the very course of history. Present company included.”
One by one, Mezil addressed the humans before him.
“Jacob Westenberg, Red Minor.”
“Roger Eldin, Red Minor.”
“Victor Fitzroy, Red Minor.”
“Aiden of Aratet, Double Red Minor.”
“Edmund Moriarty Junior, Red Major.”
“Niton of Aratet, Red Major.”
“As for Rosemary Westenberg and Dayton of Aratet, you’ve not revealed yourselves, neither have you been tested. Still, since you’ve decided to attend this meeting, there’s at least some Determination running through your veins.”
Rosemary looked more than a little dejected. Seemed like she really wanted to be a part of the Red club. Dayton, however, was visibly relieved that Mezil had yet to identify his colours.
You glanced at the fancy Far East Oriental man with the lute. What about him? Why didn’t Mezil mention anything about him at all? Guess he’s not a Red?
Accompanied by that mysterious man’s musical notes, Mezil continued: “Determination -- once known as Willpower -- is what gives humanity the strength to face hardships untold. Despite our frail bodies, our resolve subdues nature and conquers the earth. It is our god-given divine authority to rule.”
“W-wait,” said Dayton, “Isn’t that ‘The Chosen Ones’? The mages believe this calling too?”
“Aah yes!” Niton exclaimed, “It’s same! Very same!”
“You are correct. The Magus Association, at least those who have faith in The Almighty, believe that humans are not pests, mistakes, or aberrations, and neither are we identical to the spirits and beasts of the land. Instead, we’re stewards in charge of all creation.”
“The cream of the crop, The Chosen Ones, rise as heroes, kings, and saviours. Yet, there’s a dark side to this tale. When the chosen choose to give in to corruption, they become villains, tyrants, and demons. And thus, our world suffers calamity after calamity.”
“In response, the position of Supreme Judge was created to keep evil at bay. As the strongest Reds of each generation of Magi, our sacred duty is to forever thwart the worst case scenario. I speak of disasters that warp realities, twisting the land under a demonic eclipse. I speak of curses where the dead cannot rest, the hollow haunt, and the damned become as gods.”
You noticed that was an awfully specific scenario. The closest things you could think of were Hyperdeath and The Abomination. Those were bad enough.
“In short, if it was not for the Supreme Judge, civilization would have been ruined many times over. Did you think this world is already terrible? Then you’ve not seen the world that never was.”
Victor blurted, “‘The world that never was’? Seonbae, what are you talking about? This is not a videogame.”
Mezil… laughed? You turned your head, refusing to miss the opportunity. So that’s what he looks like when he laughs!
“It might as well be,” he smirked. “For you see, the most Determined of them all has the ability to play life like a game. They’re invincible. Unbeatable. Capable of turning back the clock on their every mistake. Their every defeat. Down to their deaths. I, too, have done exactly that.”
He stood up and thumped his cane on the ground, calling for everyone’s full attention. It was at that very moment that the music stopped.
“I am Mezil Winston. ‘Supreme Judge of the Magus Association’, ‘The Harbinger’, ‘The Vampire’. Except, those titles matter not! Above all else, I am ‘The Living Victory’. The bearer of the Keys of Fate: he who holds dominion over time!”
His knees wobbled right after. You and Cenna swiftly caught his fall. Man, you’re super worried. He feels too hot for a human to be. How much longer can he endure?
The music resumed the moment you set him back down. Was Mezil trying to intimidate Persona with his declaration? Or was he trying to raise his own confidence?
Roger and Edmund then burst out into various variations of ‘I knew it all the while!’, followed by a competition of ‘I figured it out sooner than you!’. Jacob tried to calm those two down, while Victor and Rosemary returned a dumbfounded stare. The Aratet family and your monster friends already knew the truth; there were no extra reactions from them.
Rosemary then said out loud: “You’re pulling my leg, aren’t you? Time travel? That’s really funny. Ha ha. Can I go home now? I’m done being surrounded by crazy old men.”
Such disbelief! You felt challenged just hearing that. You asked Mezil if you’re allowed to perform a demonstration.
He shook his head. “No. There will always be the faithless and the unbelieving. Do not waste your efforts on those who close their eyes and ears.”
Realising that his daughter stepped out of line, Jacob hurried to her side. “Rose, it’s not a joke. Mezil’s not the type to pull an elaborate prank.”
“C’mon Dad. This is TIME TRAVEL! It’s stupid sci-fi shit!”
Victor then said: “I believe him.”
“You too?! Uncle Victor, I had high hopes for you.”
Cenna crossed her arms and glared at the teenager. Her no-nonsense sense of Justice had enough of the drama. “Rosemary Westenberg! Did ya forget you signed the NDA? Even if you think magic is bullshit, you still gotta sit this out to the end! Isn’t that what you came all the way here for?”
“That’s it! I’m not gonna let a bunch of charlatans tell me what to do!”
Just as she was about to leave, Papyrus stretched out his hand to stop her.
“I UNDERSTAND HOW SCARY IT IS TO HAVE YOUR SENSE OF REALITY CHALLENGED. I’VE BEEN THERE MYSELF. IT’S SO VERY TEMPTING TO HIDE UNDER A BLANKET AND PRETEND YOUR TRUTH IS ABSOLUTE. BUT… DOING THAT CONFINES YOU.”
“I KNOW YOU’RE CAPABLE OF STEPPING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE, YOUNG LADY. I BELIEVE IN YOU!”
“I… I…”
In the end, Papyrus’ words of overwhelming trust prevented her from leaving.
You recognize this behavior. It’s anxiety masked in the form of smug aggression. You were once again reminded why the Magi keep secrets. Not everyone can handle everything.
Once everyone settled, Mezil continued his speech. “Alas… there is more nuance to time travel than victory and defeat. Knowledge. Character. Habits. Circumstances. That’s to name only a few. Who can foresee which victory stays true, and which becomes undone? Who can guarantee that the hearts of allies do not go astray?”
“I tell you now… no one can. Ultimately, The Living Victory is merely human. Thus limited by ignorance.”
He paused for a moment to catch his breath.
“…10 years ago, after a long and bitter conflict, my archnemesis Persona met his mortal end. But in his craftiness, he in turn chained his spirit unto my being. Today he intends to steal The Keys of Fate and return to 25 years ago, so that he could undo all my efforts and to renew his.”
Roger grimaced at the reveal. “That twat again?”
Edmund nudged him by the elbow. “Watch your mouth there, man. We have Persona’s direct family around.”
Niton innocently asked, “What is ‘twat’?”
Instant cringe from Dayton. “Bad, bad word. Never use it for anyone, especially Grandpa.”
Aiden just glared at the policeman. He knew what Roger meant, and he was understandably unhappy.
Victor then interjected, asking: “25 years ago?… That’s right before you said your goodbyes and got married. Does this have anything to do with the infighting within the Magus Association? I recall that you ended up hospitalized, mysteriously injured from head to toe.”
Mezil replied, “Yes. That conflict has a name: ‘The War of The Red Victory’. The assassination of Supreme Judge Pashowar triggered a bloody battle royale between The Chosen Ones with The Keys of Fate as our spoils. Back then, Persona was invited to join, but he declined. Therefore… I had unwittingly stepped into the void that he created, and emerged as the unexpected winner: The Living Victory.”
“However, as powerful as The Keys may be, they are also fleeting and unstable. They manifest only in the grasp of the absolute strongest. With two or more equally Determined parties contesting for The Keys, ownership becomes erratic.”
“That’s the root of why it’s kill or be killed ever since; there can only be one. No one knows how long they can keep The Keys of Fate. Imagine that you charged ahead believing in certain victory, only to have your power vanish when you needed it the most.”
You watched the reaction of the crowd again. They’re filled with perturbed anxiety, befitting the idea of depending on something so fickle.
“Here are the stakes: should Persona succeed in robbing me of my Determination, he will formally join The War of the Red Victory. I will become his primary target. There’s no guarantee that I will survive. Furthermore, anyone currently below the approximate age of 25 will cease to exist. Imagine millions of youth erased from history, stuck between existence as a ghostly shadow of their current self.”
Mezil hovered his hand over your head, as though he’s giving you a blessing. “I hereby elect Frisk Wanderstar Dreemurr as the Crimson Keeper to judge my case. Despite their inexperience, there’s no one else with the levels of Determination necessary to challenge Persona.”
Then, he moved his hand to Cenna, “I elect Cenna Wanderstar as the Vanquisher to guard the entrance. If… if the worst has come to pass, she will use her destructive magic to exorcise the DEMON within my very body.”
Facing the crowd once more, Mezil announced: “This shall be a formal Trial of the Crimson Hall, and no Trial is complete without witnesses. Although this role would usually be filled by Magi affiliated Jurors, they’re not available to us at the moment. I thereby ask for you all to take their place.”
“I’m giving each of you the final choice: if you think you can’t handle what’s to come, then you may leave.”
With Cenna’s help, Mezil stood up and moved to the side. You helped with the chair, but this time he refused to sit back down. The path to The Void now stood wide open…
“Go, Crimson Keeper.” He commanded, “Usher the willing into The Crimson Hall.”
Right on it. You opened the door and looked inside.
White floor, checked.
White ceiling, checked.
Empty round room, checked.
You’ve confirmed that it was indeed the correct location. You announced to the rest that it’s time to begin the procedure.
Papyrus being his usual self, led the way to the Jury’s chamber. Looks like he wanted to make sure all the humans knew where to go.
Edmund walked forward with certainty. As a Claimed, he would have experienced this before. The cool grandpa tossed you a wink right before he crossed the boundary.
Not wanting to be outdone, Roger followed close behind. He hid a competitive spirit under his old-man’s body.
Victor and Jacob were next. You noticed they went ahead without the bartender’s daughter. Rosemary stared at her feet for a while. Grillby approached her, maybe to ask if she wanted to leave. Yet, in the end, she chose to follow him and the Aratet kids through the gate anyway.
Then, last but not least, Aiden himself. He stopped right before the threshold. Looking at him… you could tell that he’s suppressing his nerves like a true pro. His mind was focused on his mission and his mission only.
“Royal Child,” he said. “I have a selfish demand. Please allow me to talk to Persona uninterrupted, as father and son. And whatever happens in the end, I want to remember the moment. No resets. No regrets.”
Sure. That’s only fair. He’s his Dad after all. You’re already more than happy he’s willing to resolve this as diplomatically as possible.
“Once again, I owe you my eternal gratitude.”
* Aiden joined the party.
Then, with all the guests out of sight and out of hearing, Cenna shattered her professional front. She voiced maximum concern:
“Hey, old man, I don’t wanna be rude but… Haven’t you learned anything??? We have a certain Assassino who’s literally, and I mean literally, sleeping right above our heads! Remember how everything went to utter shit last time?”
…Oh gods of stars, your sister’s right! In Sans’ current condition, the battle of sheer determined Determination might trigger weird effects.
Tsunderjudge grunted. “It’s the reverse. Once Frisk is disconnected from the network, Sans Serif will be free from Persona’s corruption. Problem solved. Besides, Judge Caraway will not guard alone. Hajikami Hua will assist her. Those two should be sufficient for the task at hand."
But. But. There’s nothing to stop him from repeating his Crimson Hall hijacking! You also have no idea what’s happening to him anymore. Tsunderjudge, please rethink this plan!
“I refuse. We’ll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it. When push does come to shove, I trust them both to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. This is the same faith I extend to everyone in the Association.”
Yourself included?
“Yes. Yourself especially included.”
…But why? For some reason the burden of confidence felt heavier than it should.
Wasn’t it because of your decisions that Tsunderjudge is suffering as you speak? He warned you, yet you didn’t listen.
If only you were more mature from the start, then you wouldn’t have made such a half-baked wish. This whole mess could have been avoided.
So. Uhm. What you’re trying to say is… You’re super super guilty! About everything!
It was then that Tsunderjudge placed his hand on your shoulder. “Frisk,” he said, “Have you ever heard of ‘winning the battle but losing the war’?”
Ahuh. You nodded. It’s the Pyrrhic victory.
“You’re well-read. Let me tell you this: the reverse is equally true. Battles can be lost, and the war still won. It’s all about recognizing the critical turning points. My defeat is coming soon. Make it a victory.”
So… you didn’t permanently screw everything up?
“Tsk. Did you think that everything today was purely your fault? Nonsense. People may think of The Keys of Fate as this unbeatable weapon: perfect in every conceivable way. Hmph. It’s far from it! As I’ve said before, each Living Victory struggles with their limitations. Lord Berendin. Genocider. The Supreme Judges. The Persona. Prince Asriel. Chara. …And you.”
“No single individual can predict every outcome. Every variable. Every possibility. Sans Serif demonstrated as much. This current predicament too, is the result of an elaborate trap that has been laid far beyond your time, tangled in a web so thick that no one knew when and where everything began.”
“If anything, I apologize for placing this great burden upon one so young. I had hoped that the giant was the last incident you needed to directly handle for a while.”
You shook your head. It’s only fair for you to help after putting him through the wringer multiple times.
“Hm? You’re being unusually empathetic. Perhaps you’ve heard tales from Uncle Edmund? He’s never shy to share the story of The Cursed Jalopy.”
Let’s just say a little context goes a long way.
“I admit that I wasn’t always ideal. In my youth, I strived to be independent of anyone. I didn’t wish to cause trouble. I didn’t want to cause disappointment. Or so I thought. In reality, I feared leaving my life in the hands of others. What if they failed? What if they abandoned me? No wounds run deeper than the betrayal of those who promised and yet failed to deliver…”
“Still, I recognize I’m alive today only because others had looked out for me when I was at my most vulnerable. I would have ended up in many worse places without them. Thus I say, our pasts should hold no sway. Present actions speak louder. If you truly want to make up for the trouble you’ve perceived, then raise your chin. Be at your best. I’m counting on you.”
Touched by his speech, you saluted to him like a real soldier. Yes, sir!
You and Tsunderjudge thus walked through the impromptu Spirit Gate together. Papyrus, Grillby, and Aiden, waited for you on the other side.
Alright! This is it! The grand DEMON finale.
You stretched your limbs a bit, wanting to be as prepared as you could be.
Mezil straightened his back, readying himself to announce the start of the proceedings:
“My friends and colleagues. I’m blessed to have you. Witness now my greatest victory… or my darkest defeat!”
Raising his hand towards you, he pulled out your Psychia.
“Frisk Wanderstar Dreemurr, I relinquish my will upon your Claim!”
The butterfly Mark shattered. A rush of Determination started to fill your body, like a valve opening to maximum. It’s stronger than you remember. Seemed that you’ve already adapted to less DT for the same results.
However, the act of breaking your Claim was the final straw for Mezil. His body went limp and collapsed right before you.
Your first reaction was to try to run forward to catch him…
…But both Grillby and Papyrus stopped you.
Papyrus wielded a bone like a sword. “FRISK, STAND BACK!”
When you looked at Mezil again, you realised there was something very, very wrong. He hadn’t hit the ground. Rather, his body dangled right above the floor, as if he was held up by invisible strings.
You spotted a black butterfly with a red lining. One landed on his head, another on his back, and that brought forth an entire swarm.
Oh no. Those didn’t look like Mezil’s normal red butterflies. You felt nothing but bitter corruption from those critters.
Soon they engulfed him whole. They’re trying to corrupt him!
Then, they were repelled. At first you were relieved, but your heart sank when you saw what emerged underneath.
Mezil’s form had taken on the darkness. Glowing eyes. Red vapour upon every breath. And a crown of thorns.
The Vampire of Time.
So, it had come down to this. You have a feeling that ‘FIGHT’ would be utterly useless in this scenario. As you had vowed, you’re Determined to help and be helped.
ACT - MARK - HELP - MERCY