The Revenant: From the Ashes

Chapter 4: Will of Fire

The young warrior looked at Gaster's hand, then his eyes met his. A moment of silence passed as the warrior contemplated the next words he would choose, then he mournfully sighed.

"Even if you told the truth, this doesn't change a thing". He said. "I failed as a warrior. The Oni-Baba overran my home, and everyone that I ever loved is...". He swallowed a lump in his throat as his tears threatened to escape his eyes. "They're all dead". 

"I couldn't even protect my home, how can I be the protector of such a vast system?". He asked. "How can I protect billions of innocents when I couldn't even protect my own?".

Gaster's face morphed into that of sympathy, then his hand made its way into the warrior's shoulder. "I know that pain all too well". Gaster said. "I've had these thoughts for as long as I was trapped in this wretched place. I kept blaming myself for my failures, for the downfall of my kingdom, and for the dangers that many universes were subjected to". He said. "I know it can be so hard to even try again, let alone live, after suffering such tragedy. I even almost lost my mind because of it".

"But...I never gave up, I was bolstered by the will of the fallen, I knew I couldn't keep wallowing in my own pity and let my mind be lost to madness". He continued. "That is why I am here today. Even after failing for so many times, I am here with rekindled hope that I won't fail once more". 

"....What is it that drives you to be this way?". The warrior asked. "How do you know that your comrades wouldn't blame you for your shortcomings?".

"Because I keep reminding myself that they loved me". Gaster said. "That a lifetime ago, I was their treasured comrade, that I am carrying their wills and their legacies with me". He continued.

A picture of him, Asgore and Gaia standing proudly with their unit flashed before his eyes.

"What I'm trying to tell you young man". Gaster said. "Is that your comrades loved you and cherished you for who you are, and never in a million years would they blame you for what happened, for something that was beyond your control". He continued. "To feel guilt for such a tragedy is natural, but never let it cloud your judgement as it almost did to me". He continued.

"Because we are all that remains to carry on their legacies, to give their sacrifices a meaning". Gaster said.

"And we ARE that meaning!".

The words that Gaster spoke struck a chord within the warrior's spirit, and it rekindled a fire within him that he thought he lost forever.

He further pondered on the words that reached him, and he made realizations that he never thought he would make. The entity was right, his comrades and family loved him for what he was and for what he did, and it would not be their will to blame him for what transpired.

If he were to give up now, then what will become of the sacrifices of his comrades? And the battles they fought? And the lives  they led?

They would all become meaningless, forgotten and abandoned.

All because he was on the verge of giving up.

For a moment, he felt anger build in his chest, like an inferno that is about to pour its wrath unto those worthy of it. How dare he give up so easily, when he already made it this far? Was he going to make a mockery of their memories?

No more.

He will not wallow in his self-pity any longer.

The young warrior wiped the tears from his eyes and locked his gaze unto Gaster, determination filling his heart as it burned away every little piece of doubt he had left.

He won't stand here and die to the wolves.

He will survive.

"Let's fuse". The young warrior said as he grabbed Gaster's arm. "I can't stand it any longer. I can't stand my own cowardice, I want to be the warrior my fallen friends wanted". He said. "I want to uphold the legacy of the fallen Ghosts once more".

Gaster smiled, pleased with the outcome he received. "Then let us proceed". He said as his eyes shone brighter than before. "Though I would have to warn you, you will suffer pain like no other...there might be even a chance of you dying".

The young warrior shook his head. "Better than staying here and die for nothing". He said. "If I die, at least I would've died for a purpose and with honor".

Gaster looked at the warrior once more, then he spoke once more. "Then I hope that this fusion actually succeeds". He said. "Before we proceed, may I know your name?".

The young warrior locked his gaze on the entity's eyes.

"Laith".

"Laith....". Gaster muttered. "I hope I see you alive and well....".

A bright light began to engulf them, and Laith felt pain like no other.

It was like the force of a thousand suns, burning every fiber of his being away.

Laith began to scream in pain, but his will remained strong. He gritted his teeth and he kept enduring this pain, because he had nothing else to lose.

"Just a little longer!". He heard Gaster shout. "We are almost there!".

Laith let out a scream, a scream made from unholy pain mixed with fiery determination.

It was like his own flesh was being peeled off of his body slowly, but the pain didn't matter to him any longer.

He needs to survive.

For his comrades, for his family.

And for all the fallen Ghosts.

All of the sudden, the pain vanished, and the entity was nowhere to be found.

But before Laith can even fathom what just happened, he collapsed to ground; allowing darkness to envelope his world once more.