SOULTALE | By ShadowNTS

(Chapter 173) Gluttony & Greed.

Inside the scorching abyss, Chara sinks deeper into hell. She descends without a slither of fear, whilst other residents watch as the lone demon falls through the layers.

CHR: Almost there, I can feel it.

Chara notices a glimpse of flashing light far away.

CHR: What could possibly be reflecting light down he-

A spear flies towards her, inches away from her eye. Chara manages to catch the spear in time.

CHR: Oh great, another one.
EPH: Greetings, demon child.

Ephram lunges towards Chara and thrusts his spear continuously. Chara dodges and uses his spear to pull Ephram closer and deliver a devastating punch to the jaw.

EPH: That all you got?!
CHR: No.
*BOOM*

A giant explosion engulfs the two of them. Chara flies out of the smoke and continues descending below. Suddenly, she feels something on her shoulder.

EPH: Leaving already?!
CHR: Tsk, insect.

Ephram kicks Chara in the gut. She feels the pain but alas, grabs Ephram by the neck. However, the pit around her starts to be covered in darkness.

EPH: That annoying fucker! Draven!
CHR: (Just what is going on?!)

Chara loses sight of Ephram and soon ends up in a fleshy tunnel. She stands up and wipes a gooey substance off of her body.

CHR: This shit stinks.

She takes out her knife and stays wary of her surroundings. Ephram appears from the dark end of the tunnel and stands before her.

EPH: Sorry for the interruption.
CHR: You better explain just what is this place.
EPH: Oh, right, so rude of me. This place is hells' most feared place, Dravens' stomach!
CHR: Dravens'... stomach?
EPH: And I'm Ephram, the sin of greed. Pleasure to have you.
CHR: We're inside of a stomach..?
EPH: That's exactly what I said.
CHR: I think... I'm gonna puke.

Chara can't hold it in and pukes in the corner. Ephram looks confused, not realising that unlike him, Chara isn't used to this place.

CHR: Let's just hurry up and finish this.
EPH: Right after yo-
*SLASH*

Chara zips across the tunnel and slices Ephrams' limbs off. They regenerate right back.

CHR: (Just as I expected, an opponent with supernatural regenerative abilities, and then there's the other sin, one who's capable of swallowing cities whole.)
EPH: Oh and one more thing.
CHR: Hmm?
EPH: If this fight doesn't finish inside of five minutes, Draven's gonna have his daily flush, which means both of us are done for!
CHR: Five? That's all I need.

Chara dashes towards Ephram and swings her knife rapidly. Ephram tries his best to block using his spear. He manages to push Chara back and form more spears from Dravens' flesh. Chara slices them in half and gets face to face with Ephram.

CHR: It's already over.
EPH: You sure?!

Veins pop out of the flesh and wrap around Charas' legs, hindering her immobile.

EPH: Now to finish it! Divine Curse, Sin of Greed, Life Siphoning Spear!

Ephram charges up a spear with all his energy and throws it towards Charas' soul.

CHR: Soularia, Demonic Betrayal!

Chara holds the palm of her hand against the spear. She manages to hold it back. The flesh of her arm starts to disintegrate. Chara makes one final push. Massive amounts of energy clash in one point in space. They converge. Ephrams' maniacal smirk turns to a shocked realization. He gazes upon his missing right side of his body.

EPH: How did you..?

Ephrams' body starts to fade away.

CHR: Your own curse... betrayed you.
EPH: But how can you do such a thing?! Curses are bound to our very souls the moment we were birthed into this world! You can't so simply take them away from us! And why do they take your side?! Just what are you?!
CHR: You said it yourself, a demon.

Ephram fades away completely and so does Draken. Their spirits were siphoned by that attack. Chara, now replenished with the sins' life force, continues her descend.

End of Chapter 173
"Gluttony & Greed"

[ Chara has defeated Greed & Gluttony. ]

-- Extra Soul Trivia! --
-- Did ya know? --
Asriel used to steal Charas' chocolate back when they were still kids!