Okay.
This is starting to boggle your mind. A part of you wanted to stop, go home, and come back another day.
But you sure as heck won’t be able to sleep after reaching this point.
> Convert.
Pardon?
What does Doctor Gaster mean with ‘a monster who retained all aspects of his past humanity’? Was he a Lich?
“Yes, he was.”
Liches were enchanted from humans, right? But they don’t recall their previous lives, so they can’t be counted as ‘human’. At least, that’s what you understand.
“You’re correct, Frisk.” said Doctor Gaster, “But he’s different. This man remembered everything.”
For real?
The elder continued his story.
“During my father’s childhood days, he’d explore the woods together with his younger sister. He wanted discovery, she wanted adventure. They’d do these things in secret.”
“One day, found a hidden trail that led to a ravine. There, they discovered a secluded patch of Ebott Goldenflowers. Half buried under the growth was a skeletonized human corpse. The siblings had never seen a true skeleton before. Not in the form of a Lich, nor in the form of the dead.”
Odd. What happened to all the refugees? There must be some Liches who escaped.
“Well, just because they’re in the kingdom doesn’t mean you’d meet them in person.”
He continued: “Thrilled by the idea of experiments and the prospect of a new friend, the siblings smuggled the conversion rites out of the library. My father laid down the framework. True to his colour of Patience, he’s very careful with his handiwork.”
“They then reanimated the bones. But when his eyes lit up, they realised that things… didn’t quite go as they had expected.”
“He awakened with eyes of intense crimson.”
You gasped.
The colour red will never mean the same to you again.
Did they ‘accidentally’ resurrect a Red SOUL bone?
“Yes, they did. His SOUL must have survived the destruction of his body. My father and his sister were terrified to the point of immobility. They couldn’t understand why either. Not until many, many years later.”
“It didn’t help that the Red Lich yelled a string of curses to the sky. Quite a frightening first impression as you can imagine.”
“When the man realised that he was not alone, he calmed himself. Anyone could see the sheer frustration flowing in his being as his ribs rose and fell. It was nothing like the books or stories the siblings had heard. As far as they know, Liches woke up confused at most. Never enraged.”
“The sister asked why. He answered the following: ‘I was assassinated. Murdered. That knave stabbed my chest before kicking me down into this pit’.”
“That’s the most unusual. Remember that Liches considered themselves separate from their bones. There are some Purple ones who do recall bits of their past, however they are just distant images. ‘I was this person, this person is not me’.”
“On the other hand, the Red Lich declared: ‘This is me’. He claimed his identity without a single hesitation. He even remembered his own death.”
“My father and his sister explained how they had found him, the magic they used, and their intentions. They meant no harm.”
“The man asked more questions. First about the year, then about the world. Politics. Leaders. Circumstances of the times. Except, monsters live too isolated from human society to know of answers to his detailed enquiries. This prompted the Red Lich to investigate matters by himself.”
“He was no fool. He knew that he could no longer walk straight into human territory and ask around. So he instead asked the children to take him to the Dreemurr Nation. As a token of gratitude, he would use the knowledge of his former life to help us.”
“Under one condition: that he may keep his true identity a secret. Name included. And also, the children may not tell anyone about their discovery. He’ll decide when and where he would disclose himself. Until then, he’d play the role of a travelling hermit.”
“The Red Lich proved his worth soon enough. He improved security and taught monsters the art of advanced intel gathering: spying, stealth, surveying, observation. It allowed the guards to take protective measures much sooner than they ever did.”
“We’re indebted. Since no one knew his name, we called him by a title: ‘Sage’.”
“Then, he studied monsterkind. Learned about us, our magic, and our history. Took a special interest in the Lichborn Eye. He theorized that our human heritage allowed manipulation of ‘the streams of space and time’. He told us about ‘Willpower’, known as ‘Determination’ in modern days, and declared it as his very reason for survival.”
“The coloured eyes we bear are in truth a filtered lens. The body instinctively knows that it cannot cope with high levels of Determination, so it’s channeled into the Eyes to be burned away as fuel for our traits. This allows us to tap into the depths of time itself.”
“That’s when my father wondered about this man’s history.”
“Magic had always been the domain of monsters since prehistoric times. Many charlatans claim to be wizards and sorcerers, but they’re all trickery: illusions, suggestions, mind-altering substances, what have you. We thought: humans are incapable of magic.”
“Yet, this Sage claimed otherwise. He wasn’t a liar. The lessons he taught to us Lichborn were concrete proof. It’s thanks to him that we now know how to hone our talents. We began to truly ‘see’ a hidden world.”
“It was only then the Lichborn were renamed as ‘Seers’.”
This is some extensive history.
But it was a ton more interesting to you than anything you’ve learned in school. A personal investment made all the difference.
Doctor Gaster continued: “From a pool of students, the Sage hand-picked six of the best ‘Pure Eyed’ Seers. My father, my aunt, and my mother were part of the selection.”
Pure Eyed?
You tilted your head at that term.
“What Papyrus and Sans have is a ‘Mixed Eye’. By no means is a Pure superior to a Mixed, not at all. It’s just that the Sage needed set constants for the task at hand. It’s all about the balance of traits and their intensity.”
What about Gaster’s set?
“Mine are both Pure Eyed. I could either use both at once, or one at a time. It all depends on the situation. Orange ‘Bravery’ allows me to take daring leaps into the future, whereas Cyan ‘Patience’ gives me focus.”
“With fine control, I have the widest range of visions. To put it to understandable terms, I’m a microscope and a telescope combined. Rendered in 3D. Very handy in science. …And also to watch out for slacking staff members.”
You couldn’t help but to laugh out loud. Oh he’s going to be a real terror in the classroom. You imagined a very displeased Gaster sliding over to a sleeping student, waking them up with a chop on the top of their head.
Yep. You don’t want him to be your classroom teacher. Just one-on-one tuition is good enough.
Though, this isn’t a time for comedic tangents.
You do want to listen to the rest of the tale.
Once you settled down, Gaster continued: “Anyways. After a good lot of training, the six Seers combined their diverse talents to peer into the future.”
“I needed a machine, the Chronograph, to do the same. It’s constructed to supplement my missing traits. Papyrus, however, can do all that upon instinct and a fraction of the effort. Do you now understand just how special he is?”
Papyrus struck a proud pose in response.
You didn’t understand the specialness. Why?
“A Seer’s magic is all about the application. Papyrus’ colours are Orange, Blue, and Green: Bravery, Integrity, and Kindness. Sans’ are Cyan, Purple, Yellow: Patience, Perseverance, Justice. Between them, six traits are accounted for.”
“Bravery, to take the leap.”
“Integrity, to draw in relevance.“
“Kindness, to reconstruct the image.”
“Patience, to keep focus.”
“Perseverance, to remember.”
“Justice, to see truth.”
Ah.
So that’s how it is.
Sans is the ultimate microscope, while Papyrus is the ultimate telescope. Again, opposites in every way… Gaster can do both, but nowhere near as well as either. Sort of the middle ground.
Together, the six Seers had the perfect vision. So, what did they see?
The old skeleton took a deep breath and sighed. “Very similar to what I saw: death and destruction. The Dreemurr Nation brought to ruin. Vast human armies at their doorstep. It confirmed the worst fears that plagued the survivors.”
“The Sage did not give up. He instructed his students to look farther. This time, on the fate of the nearest human kingdom. Well. It turns out that they later fell to a dragged-out and very bloody siege. The cycle of war does not discriminate.”
Kill or be killed.
That mantra ruled the land for far too long.
“In the midst of despair, the Sage made one of the craziest suggestions. He told us that if we want to change the future… we must first change our circumstances.”
Papyrus gasped outright. “SANS TOLD ME THAT SAME ADVICE TO SAVE FRISK!”
“Now you know where he learned it from,” said Gaster. “You can imagine the students begging their teacher to show them this path of hope. Alas, it was not something anyone wanted to hear…”
“He said that we monsters must teach the humans magic. Real magic of the SOUL.”
“That proclamation shook everyone down to the core. By theory that would be the most suicidal plan. Humans were already dominating the lands without additional power. And yet, the Sage asked us to grant them our inborn gift.”
“What if they misuse it? What if they turn magic against us? Questions, questions, and more questions.”
“The Sage expected that. He bluntly told them to either step out or prepare for the end. He knew he cannot do it all alone, and thus left fate inside their hands.”
“It’s tempting to surrender. To hide. To deny. But after a few days passed, the six students agreed that they’ve nothing left to lose. They rather be deemed as traitors than to wait for death.”
“Thus, the mentor promoted them to bear his title of ‘Sage’, becoming members of ‘The Seven Sages’: each governing their respective colour.”
Does Doctor Gaster remember the names and the colours of these Sages?
“Of course, Child of Mercy. I have committed every bit of history to memory. I love knowledge no matter the source. As long as it’s true, I’ll do my best to keep them.”
“Visigoth, the Cyan Sage of Patience. Also known as the Sky or Light Blue Sage. My dear departed father. Lover of nature, be it flora, fauna, or the mineral realm. He’s defined by patient wisdom and it’s thanks to him that the group didn’t fall apart.”
“Ariella, the Green Sage of Kindness. My aunt. The world itself is wondrous to her. It didn’t matter if we lived in dark times. She had a knack of finding good in any situation and in any person. A very encouraging woman.”
“Shirai, the Orange Sage of Bravery. My dear departed mother. She’s a survivor in more ways than one. She was the one who told us that we had nothing to lose. Of the six, she had the most reasons to fear human society. Yet, she was the first to volunteer.”
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
“Cyril, the Yellow Sage of Justice. Not the easiest to get along with, but he always meant well. For years he had questioned our acceptance of oppression. He won’t let the opportunity to make a difference slip through his fingers.”
“Geneva, the Blue Sage of Integrity. A nun in demeanour: steadfastness with high moral ethics. This made her a bit emotionally detached from the others, but she always did what’s right.”
“Corsivus, the Purple Sage of Perseverance. Our eccentric genius of the team. He had the tendency to get lost in academic pursuits and his own thoughts. Despite these quirks, he’s a man with a golden heart. Wish I could’ve met him.”
“Then, there’s of course the Red Sage of Willpower: a constant enigma. Stoic, unless something stoked his ire. No one knew what’s going on behind those crimson lights. Whatever it is, he’ll make it a reality.”
You groaned. Such a wasted opportunity. ‘The Red Sage of Determination’ sounds a billion times cooler!
“I AGREE WITH FRISK!” Papyrus exclaimed.
Gaster chuckled at the both of you. “Well, I can’t retcon historical titles. It is what it is.”
“Anyway, after leaving behind a note to the King and Queen, The Seven Sages departed in the middle of the night. The less monsterkind knew of their plan, the better. They didn’t want to frighten the public more than they had to.”
“The team infiltrated the capital with relative ease. The Red Sage knew where to go, down to the multiple secret entrances that coursed under the city.”
Did anyone ask about it?
“Oh yes, everyone did. And you know what he said? ‘I built them’.”
He must have been a very important man. You asked if he was a prince?
“No. He was not. Royal blood does not guarantee power, dear child. Humans are too determined to let such theories define their hierarchy.”
“When the Seven Sages emerged inside the castle grounds, they wore masks, gloves and shrouds to hide their Lichborn nature. Fanciful coloured embroidery distracted the townsfolk, making them think they’re exotic wizards from a far off land. See, wizards of those times never revealed themselves to others. It’s part of their creed of secrets and mystique.”
“The Red Sage stepped forth and proclaimed his prophecy. He told everyone that within the decade, the kingdom will fall. The six other Sages then pooled their magic to create mirages of their vision. The fires, the starvation, the screams of those dying by the sword… ”
You cringed.
Stoooooop!
Too graphic, too graphic!
Gaster smirked at your reaction. “Well, such is the brutal nature of warfare. Witnessing their nation doomed, the people reacted much like you. Horror, disgust, fear. I bet one or two fainted.”
“They demanded proof. After all, many so-called wizards were known charlatans. Why wouldn’t this vision be a lie? That’s when the Red Sage revealed his former self.”
“He said: ‘I am Mezil of House Berendin’. Showed a golden plaque to drive home his point. It was near pandemonium. His name frightened the court more than the future he proclaimed. Corsivus, the most well read of the lot, almost lost his composure too.”
Wait. Mezil?!
Judge Mezil Thyme?!?
Papyrus screamed in your stead. “OH MY GOD MISTER MAGUS?!?! HE’S REALLY A SKELETON IN HUMAN GUISE??? AND SUPER OLD?????”
“No, no, no,” Gaster shook his head and waved his hand across his face. “My goodness, that’s quite a stretch. The Mezil you know today is just named after Mezil of Berendin.”
“It’s nothing unusual in human culture. Many parents wish their children to gain the success associated with that name. If King Asgore and Queen Toriel were human monarchy, you would no doubt find many little ‘Asgores’ and ‘Toriels’ for generations to come.”
“People of great fame and power leave an imprint that many wish to imitate. No doubt that Mezil of Berendin had the same effect.”
> Mezil of House Berendin.
You asked Doctor Gaster why everyone’s so scared of this man.
Was he super strong? Maybe he’s a little ‘harsh’?
Hint hint wink wink. People from medieval times can be real jerks.
“Fortunately, no. He’s a man of virtue. What made him feared was his sense of foresight: a man who put many intellectuals to shame. He had a knack for making the right decisions, all the time. He had a success rate so high that people thought he’s clairvoyant. As such, he amassed great wealth and influence as a businessman.”
“Do you know why? Think about it for a moment.”
A Red SOUL man who succeeded in anything he does.
You dropped your jaw.
Mezil of House Berendin was none other than a Living Victory.
“You caught on well,” Doctor Gaster confirmed. “If Judge Thyme sent you to me, it means you know that Living Victories can die under specific circumstances. That’s what happened to the Red Sage: robbed of his power to access his SAVES and murdered in cold blood.”
You asked Doctor Gaster if the people believed him.
“Not at first. Mezil of Berendin went missing over a decade ago. So they questioned his activities. Where had he been all these years?”
“He spun a convincing tale. Told everyone that he fell into a ravine due to an accident. Survived the fall thanks to the foliage below, heavily injured nonetheless. Traveling wizards nursed him back to health, and demanded he swore fealty to their cause.”
“It was a rare opportunity to gain their trust and knowledge. So, he studied their arts to the highest level and gained six disciples of his own. Upon receiving this dreadful vision from the future, he hurried to the capital to warn his fellow countrymen and king.”
“They believed every word. After all, Mezil of Berendin had the reputation of being never wrong. Almost a prophet.”
“He told them that if they want to avoid their own ‘critical existence failure’, they must heed his counsel. Allow him to teach magic from his own estate. Only then can they fight back.”
“‘But what about the monsters?’ They asked. ‘Those things will steal a human’s soul to ascend to godhood! We must eradicate them for our safety’, they cried out.”
“Fear, fear and more fear. The Sages realised just how twisted their perceptions of monsters were. Humans never realised their true strength. They considered themselves weak, and thus banded together against the unknown.”
“Have you noticed a trend? This human kingdom feared monsters so much, they did not notice that their own territories cracked and crumbled. You’d think that some beings living peacefully in the woods would be a small issue to them, but no, that wasn’t the case.”
“Whether monsters or humans, it is entirely possible to make a mountain out of a molehill on a nation-wide scale. Two different races. The exact same reaction. The exact same mentality of ‘us versus them’. It’s always been like this.”
Hence, Mom’s worst case scenario. She had seen it happen right before her eyes.
Can the Red Sage still time travel like you?
Doctor Gaster answered, “No. Once converted into a Lich, his body cannot accumulate the amount required to travel back time. Most of his Determination was imbued into his bones to support his existence, and hence inaccessible for life. This meant he had only one chance to save everyone. All in a single timeline. It’s quite a task as you can imagine.”
“He proposed the following: seek out seven human children, each bearing the colour of the Sages. He’d train these young men and women in the art of magic, and in five years time let them seal the monster nation underneath the largest mountain in the region.”
“It’s none other than Mount Ebott.”
You and Papyrus stared back, wide-eyed at the revelation.
“This was no mere coincidence,” said Gaster. By now his tea had run out. “Mount Ebott had all the necessities for extended survival: a source of flowing water, high magic density, shelter, and a unique ecosystem. Not to mention that our forefathers once lived there. It may have become sub-par due to the changes of modernity, but back then… it was monsterkind’s best fort.”
What Sans said was true; there’s a thin line between a fort and a prison.
With neither side willing to reconcile, the only alternative was to cut each other off for good.
“The Red Sage soon converted his abandoned manor into a magic school, and they found all seven humans without issues. What followed was a quiet period that allowed the Sages to further refine their craft in an academic setting, creating ‘The Code’, ‘The Skull’ and the ‘The Gram’.”
That weird wingdings language, Sans’ Gasterblasters, and those fancy magic drawings.
“The latter is what made it possible for humans to use high levelled magic, provided they took the time to prepare. Eventually the Seers also discovered little holes in spacetime that you know as ‘shortcuts’. Very convenient.”
“On the fifth year, a ghost of the past returned. The human kingdom hired the ‘Legendary Hero’ to protect their nation from the monster threat. No one except Mezil of Berendin knew the dangers they had invited on themselves…”
“For that person was none other than his murderer.”
You remembered the circumstances that started the War of the Red Victory.
Did Sage Mezil prosecute him? Seek justice?
“…He cannot,” Gaster answered. “Antagonizing the Living Victory will lead to certain doom. Furthermore, he had to keep his cover. So, he feigned ignorance. Stayed away from the Hero, and sacrificed his chance for justice. You can imagine his students were mightily displeased. Alas, there’s just too much at stake.”
“Then, against all advice, humanity declared war toward the Dreemurr Nation. My parents and their friends all thought they had failed. However… This was the trump card they needed.”
“Once a nobleman, the Red Sage knew how his peers think: of their stubborn refusal to listen. If they did, they wouldn’t have hired the Legendary Hero in the first place.”
“With The Legend himself taking the helm of command, all subsequent battles heavily favoured the humans. The Hero only needed to revert time until the ideal outcome had become reality. That meant undoing all scenarios where monsters did indeed steal a human SOUL and turned the tides.”
“Ironically, that kept the monsters’ hands clean. Mezil of Berendin took this opportunity to tell the court that they’re wasting effort on weak, helpless creatures. Finally, they believed his words.”
“The monarchy then issued a command for the first set of human Magi to prepare themselves for The Sealing. Over the span of a week, the remaining monsters were rounded up at the foot of Mount Ebott. There the Red Sage stood next to The Hero, side by side, to end the war. With their mission complete, the Lichborn Seers were given the choice to either remain on the Surface or return to their people.”
“Three remained on the Surface. Four went to the Underground.”
“WHO STAYED? WHO LEFT?” asked Papyrus. It’s a little jarring to realise just how quiet he had been.
“Geneva and Cyril tire of human politics,” said Gaster. “They were happy to get away from this mess and return to simpler times. Packed up for the Underground without a second thought.”
“Mezil of Berendin stayed. That’s a given. He had a siege war to avert… alongside many, many other challenges. The people may not love him back, but he still cared for the country of his origin. There’s an emotional bond.”
“Corsivus stayed as well. He thought the Underground would bore him out of his mind. He had so much to learn and much more to experiment. Not to mention he loved his student as his own son. The duo continued their research together.”
“Then… my aunt, Ariella. She stayed. As much as she wanted to follow her brother to the Underground, she had adopted a human orphan. One of the Seven. Nothing’s more cruel than separating a parent from a child.”
“My father Visigoth encouraged her to keep up the good work. Show humans what’s it like to love and be loved. Maybe then they could move away from their culture of fear.”
“He followed my mother Shirai to the world below. His love for his wife was more than his love for nature. A painful decision, but he did it anyway.”
“Since that day, humanity became further divided into three groups: those who no longer feared differences, those who did not care, and those who perpetuated their own nightmares.”
You feel your brain melting from the sheer information.
Does Sans know all of this?
“Of course. It’s part of his syllabus. He knew the truth and hence attempted to resign from his post as ‘Tactician’.”
You yelled at Doctor Gaster: then why go to war in the first place?!
Gerson told you, in one of the timelines, that he agreed with Dad to stay in the Underground forever. They’re safe from human violence, by theory.
For Dad to make that conclusion, he must have known the truth.
So, why? Why go to war, W. D. Gaster?!
This man -- who knew everything -- embarked on a quest of self-destruction that undermined the sacrifices of his own family!
You didn’t realise it, but you were so frustrated that you shed some tears.
Doctor Gaster lowered his gaze. He’s a guilty prisoner right before you. “…For the same reasons why humans go to war. Isolation. Ignorance. Resentment.”
> Reasons
“When you know nothing about a different community, you start to generalize. One person is bad, all are bad.”
“Monsters. Humans. It’s the same. We too are guilty of that sin.”
Roman and Helvetica crossed their arms to huddle Gaster. They’re trying to share their support, with the unintentional effect of making the great man look like he’s about to fall apart.
“Child of Mercy,” he said, “I am coloured against humanity long before the first Fallen Child.”
You understood. The stories of war were so far removed, yet so close.
Doctor Gaster squeezed his sockets shut for a moment. He’s desperately trying not to collapse into a puddle of grief.
> Personal pain.
Maybe he’d feel better if he shared his feelings with Papyrus and you.
It took a while, but eventually Doctor Gaster opened up.
“When Chara appeared, I… noticed that they’re not a sweet child like Prince Asriel. They were toxic. Troubled. And my Eyes spotted countless scars.”
Did he try to warn Mom and Dad?
“Of course, I did. Told them that child could be a spy from the Surface. But they thought that I was too traumatized to think objectively. Overanalyzing. Jumping to conclusions. They told me to give Chara a chance.”
“…I wished I didn’t. My hypothesis was wrong but the results were not much better. Because of that human child’s folly, Prince Asriel died a violent death.”
“Chara confirmed every negative perception I’ve had on humans. They’re a walking symbol of disaster. One that never changed over the millennia.”
“I-if it weren’t for humans, my parents would never need to hide Underground. Mother would be spared from suffering. Father would still live in harmony with the nature that he loved so much, and his wife’s death wouldn’t have driven him insane.”
“So much needless tragedy… If only the humans weren’t human.”
“As for the rest of us? We wouldn’t be condemned to choose between genocide or a slow, eventual suffocation. The King and Queen’s pain added to my own. I caved into the dark side, forgetting my dear departed mother’s warning only to fall into the same pitfalls as humanity…”
“An abomination, that is what I am.”
You feel sorry for the goopy skeleton.
You feel really, really, really sorry for the goopy skeleton.
He’s not trying to garner sympathy.
This was his story.
His family’s story.
It told the impact of war in all its ugly shades.
You bet that if you went on the internet and searched for war survivor testimonies, you’d get similar tales. Or worse.
Definitely worse.
Papyrus got up from the ground and gave his uncle a huge hug. You joined him.
The trio of skeleton elders returned the sentiment.
You apologized to Doctor Gaster for your outburst.
He chuckled back in response. “Dear Frisk, Child of Mercy, I deserved that. If… someone as kind and mature as you had become Prince Asriel’s friend, my perception of humanity might have changed. No, it would have changed for certain.”
You let him know that you will create a better world for everyone.
You’re determined to make a difference.
“AND I WILL HELP FRISK!” Papyrus declared. “IT’S UNFAIR FOR ONE HUMAN TO DO EVERYTHING ALONE. SO I -- THE COOLEST SKELETON -- WILL ASSIST THEM. LIKE AN EMISSARY! NYEH HEH HEH!”
An emissary for an ambassador? Isn’t that a little redundant?
“NO WAY, IT MEANS WE’LL HAVE TWICE THE DIPLOMATIC POSITIVITY! I’M VERY SURE NOTHING CAN GO WRONG WITH THAT.”
In the midst of your high-fives, Gaster said: “I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but I’d expect our time-travelling ambassador and their emissary to be a little more aware of the clock.”
You took out your phone to check the time.
Oh.
Oh crap.
OH MASSIVE CRAPNESS!
“WHAT’S WRONG FRISK-- OH GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY, WE’RE SO TERRIBLY LATE! WE NEED TO GET YOU BACK HOME BEFORE HER MAJESTY TURNS US INTO SHINGLES!!!”
You don’t want to get grounded, not with the entirety of Ebott Town at stake!
Gaster then gave some last-minute instructions to save your sorry hind. “Papyrus. When you exit the Underground, immediately take a left bend around the mountain. There’s a shortcut to the Queen’s current residence right there. It’s on the cliffside, near enough for you to jump with magic.”
He twirled his finger over the heater and the cutlery. “Even including all the extra weights.”
“THANK YOU VERY MUCH UNCLE GASTER! GOODNIGHT TO YOU, AND MOM, AND DAD! I’LL VISIT TOMORROW. AND YOU CAN KEEP THE PORTABLE HEATER!”
You said goodnight too. Then the both of you packed up in a hurry and whisked yourselves out of the room at record speeds.
Thanks to the tip, Papyrus managed to deliver you to Mom just five minutes before your curfew began. It involved one adventurous corner-jump off the cliff. Not that you’d tell anyone.
Phew.
You showed Mom your homework. Despite a suspicious squint, she’s letting it slide.
Must be on purpose.
Your nightly routine resumed as normal. Tucking yourself to bed, you wonder what you will do tomorrow. Other than Mom, who else should you talk to?
Doctor Gaster’s testimony worried you. So much history steeped in violence.
You wonder, has society changed enough to avoid repeating past mistakes?
Again, without Chara haunting the back of your mind, you somehow managed to sleep.