SOULTALE | By ShadowNTS

(Chapter 180) Despair.

Panting filled the air as the ragged breaths of the battle-weary combatants echoed through the desolate landscape. The once vibrant meadow had become a battleground, scarred by the fury of their clash. The clash between good and evil had raged on for what felt like an eternity, each side unwilling to relent. In the center of it all, a figure stood tall and imposing, the very embodiment of despair. Draped in dark robes, the villain sneered with a twisted satisfaction, a cruel smirk playing upon their lips. The air crackled with their desperate energy, an invisible force that permeated the atmosphere, tainting the very essence of hope. Asriel wipes the sweat off of his face and straightens back up, ready to fight again. Noire controls her breathing and pushes herself back up using her axe.

NOR: You got a plan..?
ASR: *pant* Not really.
VTH: Oh, foolish mortals, there exists no one on this accursed world that can defeat me!
ASR: It doesn't matter.
NOR: If so, then we'll die trying!

Noire launches herself forwards, swinging her axe relentlessly. Asriel follows up with a rain of falling stars. Vazroth stops Noires' axe with a single finger, before blowing her away and deflecting Asriels' attack. Rhett watches, not being able to do anything. Noire slams her axe into the ground to step her momentum and dash towards Vazroth again. She infuses the soles of her feet with chaos energy. Vazroth smiles and teleports behind her.

NOR: Wrong one!
VTH: You think so?

Vazroth fires a beam through one of Noires' images, and to her surprise, the same wound appears on all images. Asriel rushes to grab her before she falls to the ground, then healing her with kindness. Noire looks confused.

VTH: No future is best for you, because I win in them all!

Asriel summons his blades and teleports behind Vazroth, swinging for his head. Vazroth reacts in time and summons a sword of his own, blocking Asriels' strike. Noire throws her axe with all her force, aiming for his neck.

VTH: Good try, but it's too weak!

Multiple tentacles spurt out of Vazroths' back and catch Noires' axe, plummeting it into the ground. Asriel tries to overpower him but gets pushed back. Vazroth dashes towards him and grabs his face, before throwing him against Noire. She uses her tentacles to soften Asriels' crash. They both stand back up and look determined. Vazroth smirks as he moves his finger along his swords' edge. Asriel teleports behind him, whilst Noire dashes towards Vazroth.

VTH: What makes you think it's gonna work the second time..?

Asriel and Noire both strike at the same time. Vazroth holds out the palms of his hands. Immense energy culminates and is released in two concentrated blasts. Smoke covers the area.

VTH: Think I overdid it on that one. Ehh, whatever, they were getting kinda boring.

Vazroth turns to face Rhett, when suddenly, a slash projectile appears from the smoke. Caught of guard, he barely dodges. Vazroth turns around. The smoke starts to dissipate.

CHR: Feels good to be back!
FSK: Please calm down, Chara.
TWL: Oh my, this place sure has degraded since we left.

Vazroth smiles at the sight of the newly arrived opponents.

VTH: You're finally here. I've been waiting for so long! My greatest opponent, the one mentioned in the prophecy, Frisk Lyerm!
FSK: Prophecy or not, we're defeating you.

Frisk grips her blade tight. Chara and Twilight also get ready for battle but Frisk stops them.

FSK: Treat the wounded.
CHR: We're all in this tog-
FSK: Grand Knights' orders.
CHR: Tsk, fine.

Frisk dashes forwards with killer intent, leaving Chara and Twilight to treat the wounded. Chara rushes towards Asriel and Noire, who are lying on the ground.

CHR: Asriel! Are you okay?!
ASR: Yeah, just a little scratch.
CHR: Why don't you heal yourself?!
ASR: My kindness only heals others.
CHR: Dammit!
NOR: Aren't you gonna ask if I'm okay too?
CHR: Shut up. You have your regenerative abilities.
NOR: That's the thing... his attacks hinder my regeneration completely useless.

Whilst Chara treats Asriel and Noire, Twilight gently kneels down and rubs Rhetts' face.

RHT: What... are you doing..?
TWL: Shhh, stay quiet, or else my healing won't be effective.

A strange harmony pulsates through Rhetts' body. Her wounds slowly close up.

TWL: Feeling better?
RHT: Yeah, thanks.
TWL: Good, and now for the next part. Will you give me your blade?
RHT: Oh, of course.

Rhett hands her blade to Twilight. She runs her fingers throughout it, making it emit a dark glow.

TWL: My other half, is this really the end for you..?

The blade pulses a shining red and black spark, while a shadowy figure slowly leaves the edge. It starts to take form.

JGK: Hey Twilight, long time no see.
TWL: Jiguko! I missed you!

Twilight hugs Jiguko tight, while he tries to push her away. After Twilight lets go, Jiguko faces Rhett and pats her head.

JGK: Thanks for taking care of me, kid.

Jiguko picks up the blade and stretches, before looking at Twilight.

JGK: I've gotten sore from all these years.
TWL: Me too!

The sacred souls are now ready for battle, and with their arrival, the odds slightly shift in their favor.

End of Chapter 180
"Despair"

[ The prophecy has started to unveil. ]

-- Extra Soul Trivia! --
-- Did ya know? --
Rhett used to have curly hair but cut it because people kept bullying her for it.