Lost Soul: Extras

6: Friends?

The relationship between the two gods starts out....... strange. Their first few meetings only happen in the middle of crumbling AUs.

"Encryption! Hi!" Genesis cheers as he drops into the AU.

"Pest," Encryption mutters, disappearing into a portal almost immediately.

The god of Destruction wasn't too keen on humoring Genesis at first. Genesis's excitable nature comes off as distrustful to Encryption. Who could be that friendly to someone who ruins everything that they create? Genesis and Encryption are complete opposites. Why should they get along? Everything changed after another Multiverse fell. Encryption's greater maturity doesn't make him a better Destroyer. He only got the job a few days ago. It's not a job that he particularly likes, either. It's going to take a lot of trial and error to figure what to destroy and how to do it efficiently. Encryption and Genesis both have a lot to learn.

Encryption is hiding out in his void when the Multiverse shudders. The ground buckles and dumps Encryption right out of the bean bag he had stolen from an AU. The Destroyer growls in annoyance at being disturbed.

"Stupid Fate," Encryption growls, "Why won't she just leave me alone?" Encryption tries to stand up, but the quaking sends him back down to one knee. "What the hell is this, anyway? I've been doing my damn job just fine!" As the shaking continues, Encryption becomes less certain that this is Fate's doing. It doesn't feel like her. Encryption has a dim, still developing ability to senses AUs and their balances. Those thin strands of connection are abruptly severed. Encryption feels lightheaded for a moment at the loss.

"What?......" Encryption grabs at his head as he tries to regain his bearings. The void stops trembling just as Encryption recovers. He's left off-balance and confused about what just happened. Where are the AUs? Encryption closes his eyes to search for them. His portal magic finds only one. "Where did they all go?" In a panic, Encryption rips open a portal and stumbles through. He lands in the snowy terrain of Undertale's forest just outside the Ruins. Not sparring a moment to look around, Encryption lifts a hand and opens a black screen that floats in the air. This is a power the Destroyer barely understands. He struggles to make sense of the world's code, but it's obvious that something is very wrong. There's much too little of it. The only data this world has are the base codes to form it. The has been no progression or resets. Encryption knows that can't be true. He's seen the Original Undertale reset a dozen times now. Where did all that code go?

"You're still here?"

Encryption flinches at the voice, dropping his screen to whip around and look behind himself. He finds Genesis standing a few yards away. Encryption takes a step back, but stops when he takes in the other's expression. The Destroyer has never seen the Creator...... not happy. Genesis is pale, staring at Encryption with a haunted expression. The Creator looks to be on the verge of tears.

"Why wouldn't I be here?" Encryption asks gruffly. He isn't sure how to respond to the situation.

"Everything else gets destroyed or recreated, but you didn't disappear!" Genesis gaps, nearly coming out as a sob.

"What is going on?" Encryption asks, getting frustrated, "I can't access any of the other AUs. It feels like-"

"That they're gone?..........." Genesis cuts in.

Encryption is about to snap back a reply when he abruptly comes to a realization. Is...... is this all part of the consequences that Fate spoke of? Encryption was warned that if he didn't selectively destroy AUs, then all of them would fall. The only problem is that Encryption has been doing his job. He's done exactly as Fate asked. Why did all the AUs fall? Fate surely can't expect Encryption to be perfect at destroying right away. He's still trying to adjust to his new abilities and role. Before Encryption can say anything, Genesis speaks up again.

"No matter what I do, this keeps happening. Everything and everyone I create is killed because I can't do my job." Genesis is crying now, although he has has his face tilted away from Encryption in a poor attempt to hide it. "I thought that you might've disappeared too......"

Encryption doesn't move at first. He just watches Genesis quietly sob. Seeing Genesis feel an emotion other than happiness is somehow comforting. It makes the God of Creation seem more real. Encryption doesn't quite know where his wariness and distrustful nature comes from, but he does remember a feverish smile that would never wipe clean. Genesis isn't wearing a smile now. Seeing him cry over the loss of others softens Encryption's guard against the other slightly. The God of Destruction hesitantly approaches the other. Genesis doesn't notice the light footsteps until he feels the light touch on his shoulder. He looks up to meet his counterpart's heavy stare.

Encryption hesitantly reaches out before speaking. "......... This isn't just your fault. We'll figure it out together."

Something in Genesis eases the slightest bit. It feels as if he's been waiting his entire short existence for someone to say that word. Together. Genesis bursts out in loud sobs and lunges at the other. Encryption staggers and awkwardly and hold his arms up out of the way as Genesis clings to him. Being touched sends painful pin and needles all along Encryption's body. The hands that twisted him into what he is were not kind. Encryption stiffens up, ready to shove the other off, but Genesis abruptly lets go and pulls away.

"I'm sorry!" He says, roughly wiping away the last of his tears. "I-I didn't mean to touch you. I- are you okay?" Genesis felt Encryption flinch and is now overly concerned that the god of Destruction might be hurt.

Encryption stares for a moment. He's not used to someone caring about his well being anymore. He eventually sighs an raises a hand. "See you later, Genesis," Encryption says before disappearing through a portal.

Despite his still damp cheeks, the Creator smiles.