The cyan-colored SOUL hovered inside of a glass tube, off to the side against the barrier. A massive figure loomed over the boy, who was quivering in place. His orange-tinted eyes shone furiously back at his opponent, the both of them steeling themselves, knowing full-well what was about to happen.
The King's eyes were closed, his brow furrowed, his hands trembling beneath his royal cloak for a moment. The barrier echoed and breathed behind him. The silence between the two grew unbearable.
"I am so sorry... Goodbye," he finally managed to croak out, before his face set, his brows furrowing as he threw back the cloak he wore, his signature crimson trident magically materializing in his hand in a simultaneous action.
So began the conflict.
A ball of fire erupted in Asgore's hand, which he proceeded to hurl at the boy, who leaped to the side as he raised his fists, padded gloves covering either hand, an orange bandana wrapped around his forehead as he moved forward.
It was him or the king, right?
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Yet not so long ago, the boy found himself waking to the touch of a mother, who softly dabbed a wet rag against his face. His eyes slowly opened, and he found himself face-to-face with a large creature covered in white fur, with a kind yet concerned face, her worried eyes locking with his.
He was initially shocked, quickly scrambling backward before bumping his head against a wall. Softly rubbing it, he looked around to find he was in a room of some kind.
"Do not be afraid, my child," the monster smiled warmly at him. "I am Toriel."
"W-where am I?" the boy immediately asked, his bright eyes darting about the room. A lamp, a chest of toys, a rug, a wardrobe and a dresser... the bed beneath him was surprisingly comfortable, too.
"You have fallen underground," Toriel informed him. "I discovered you, badly injured at the end of your fall. I have brought you to my home, where you are safe, and healthy once more," her tone was soft and gentle as she sat at the edge of the bed, patiently staring at him.
He took a moment to gain his senses, before slightly frowning. "My dad..." he muttered. "I never... I... I need to go."
He immediately swung his legs off the bed, making for the door. "Wait, my child!" Toriel immediately called, but he was already gone from the room, having entered a rather homey-looking house full of warm colors. His eyes sought out a set of stairs that he immediately began to descend.
So the legends were true? Strange creatures existed, yet he was unsure of where this place was. Beneath Mt. Ebott? This was all some big mistake, he wanted no part of this world. His father needed him.
He'd be there.
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"If this keeps up..."
The boy stared up at his uncle, face scrunched in worry. "Your father is having a tough time pulling through, and we don't have the kind of supplies to... help him get better."
"I'll get the supplies," the boy immediately stated. "I'll do whatever it takes. I... herbs, or maybe a witch, or-"
"Augustus..." his uncle cut him off, eyes closed, "the disease is incurable, the best we can do is hope he fights it off naturally."
Augustus shook his head at this notion. "No. I saw a book about special herbs in the library, I can use that!"
"August!"
The boy was already out the door, hurtling his way down the street.
He'd arrived at the library in no time at all, and was already scouring through the selection at his disposal, before he landed on a particular book; "The Magical Herbs & Supplements of Our World" by a 'Gerson Boom', whoever that was. He flipped through the pages, looking at illustrations of different types of fauna, none of which he'd ever seen before. His eyes skimmed through the words he could recognize, though not all of it he could efficiently read.
