False host (undertale fanfiction)

Chapter 4: Whispers of Power

 "Papyrus is such a kind brother, isn't he? Deserves a life outside this hellhole you call the Underground, don't you think?"

Sans's eyes snapped up, catching sight of Chara leaning against his door frame, watching him with that unnerving, gleeful grin. Instinctively, he raised his hand and summoned a Gaster Blaster, its hollow eyes and skeletal jaw pointing straight at them.

Chara raised their hands in mock surrender, smirking. "Whoa there. You know that won't work on me, right? You'll just end up destroying your room. Breathe, Sans."

After a tense moment, Sans exhaled slowly and waved his hand to dismiss the blaster, lowering his head as he settled back into bed. "Fine, you're right. Doesn't mean I don't want to know what you're up to, though. What's your game?"

Chara's eyes sparkled, and they clapped their hands together enthusiastically. "Now, that's the Sans I love. Always so curious."

The applause stopped, and Chara cleared their throat, a mischievous glint in their eye. "What if I told you that you could free the Underground?"

Sans blinked, his expression unchanged. "Oh, really? Forgive me if I don't get too excited over fairy tales."

Chara pouted, looking away in feigned hurt. "Such a skeptic! Well, since I'm already invested in this little... experiment, I might as well clue you in." They paused dramatically, but before they could say more, the door to Sans's room flew open, and Papyrus burst in.

"I changed my mind—I have to talk to you!" Papyrus announced with his usual gusto, cutting off Chara's words. His eyes darted around as though expecting someone else there.

"Wait," Sans murmured, glancing between Papyrus and Chara. "You... you can see them?" But Papyrus just cocked his head, looking perplexed.

"See what, Sans?" Papyrus asked, baffled. He strode forward, hands on his hips. "Anyways, I called Toriel! She'll be coming by to check on you. You two have gotten pretty close lately, haven't you?" Papyrus wiggled his bony eyebrows and nudged Sans with his elbow.

Sans managed a faint chuckle. "Come on, big bro. Don't get any ideas." His gaze flickered to Chara, who was hovering near Papyrus and watching with mild irritation. Their shadowy form circled Papyrus with a calculating gaze.

"Oh, relax," Chara sighed, raising their knife and slashing it through Papyrus—though the weapon passed right through him like smoke. "See, Sans? I'm all yours. No one else can see me." They gave a twisted smile as Sans tensed.

"Anyway," Papyrus continued, oblivious, "she'll be here soon, so make yourself... well, more presentable!" With a final laugh, Papyrus left the room.

Sans kept his eyes fixed on the door for a moment, waiting until Papyrus's footsteps faded down the stairs. Chara's grin widened, sensing they had Sans's full attention again.

"Where was I?" Chara continued casually, slipping back into their earlier stance. "Oh, right. That barrier keeping you all trapped down here. The one Asgore's been dying to break." They sauntered over, their tone gleeful. "I assume you know he needs seven human souls to shatter it."

Sans crossed his arms, his voice dry. "It's not exactly news. Everyone knows that."

Chara's gaze narrowed, their tone turning almost sweet. "Ah, but here's something you don't know. The seventh soul doesn't have to be human—it could be... every monster's soul combined." They laughed softly. "You could kill every monster, including yourself, and the barrier would fall. Isn't that an interesting idea?"

Sans raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "And I thought my jokes were bad."

"Fine, fine. You're no fun." Chara shrugged, their grin returning. "Anyway, I'm not asking for genocide, Sans. I'm just suggesting... a few sacrifices."