Determination (Charisk) [OUTDATED]

110 - FAMILY REUNION

(CHARA POV)[F]

The elevator let us out in a secure spot in New Home, a walkway high up in the cavern walls overlooking the capital. These half-tunnels ran along the walls around the entire capital, and some even had parks, buildings, gardens, and other decorations beside them. Architects have had to make good use of the limited space over the centuries.

     "Uh... Chara?" Frisk gestured back at the elevator door. It was covered in thick green vines with red thorns.

     "Can you detect Flowey anywhere?"

     "N-No, he's not in range." Not even with ESP were we safe.

"...No going back, then." This meant that Flowey was nearby watching us just outside our field of view, or had far more reach than we previously thought. Either way, the thought was terrifying.

"Right." I could tell that the fact Flowey was pushing us forward made Frisk very uncomfortable.

"Lead the way."

     The path led us along to a staircase down to the path below us. This new walkway connected to a network of bridges all leading to the New Home Transportation Center— The NHTC, for short —which was a large tower that provided affordable transportation across New Home via river, the magi-rail system, and even busses (a relatively recent development in Underground technology). The walkways were constructed so that pedestrians could walk safely from the center of the city to the edge without having to deal with the chaos below.

     Luckily for us, the NHTC exit was a straight shot to the Castle, and subsequently, Asgore.

. . .

    Growing up, if Asriel and I weren't at home or in the Ruins, we were playing in the Castle halls. I knew this place like the back of my hand. Even still, with how some of the guards reacted to our presence, the place was given a completely unfamiliar atmosphere. I shouldn't have to feel like a stranger in my own home. Though, if we're leaving the Underground soon, is it really still my home, or is it just a temporary shelter? Ignoring the thought, we pressed onward towards The Barrier.

     We stood before the throne room. Asgore's throne sat empty in the center, as usual, surrounded by a small field of Golden Flowers. Knowing that this was the place Flowey's birth...

"Ever since we entered Alphys's Secret Lab," I started. "My entire worldview has just kept changing. First it was what Alphys had done, then about how Dr. Gaster died, then it was what Flowey really is. Now we're about to leave the only real home I've ever had. Everything's changing but nothing's any different.

"Maybe, but..." She held my hand. "Change can be good, sometimes."

"Yeah, you're right. Well, I look forward to the changes you bring, Frisk."

     "Aw, thanks."

      "You change things for the better." I squeezed her hand. "Let's just hope that everyone realizes that, too." We pressed on. At the back of the room there was a single corridor which led through the Judgment Hall, and further onto The Barrier. I hesitated.

"Chara? Everything okay?" A loose magnetic feeling came over me. It pulled me very subtly towards an unfamiliar doorway.

"That staircase." I pointed to a set of stairs along the right wall heading downwards.

"...What about it?"

"I don't remember that being there." Something's down there, I know it.

"Maybe they did some redecorating?" It's like the opposite of a ward. It was drawing me in.

"I want to check it out real quick." And it was working. Frisk looked like she was about to say something, but paused again.