Determi-Nation

Chapter II: Making Phone Calls

"Can you open your eyes?"

Who... who is it? Moaning softly, Italy opened his eyes. Honey-brown orbs dulled in pain and exhaustion slowly focused to the scene in front of him. What he saw made him yelped backwards. An anthropomorphic animal, resembling a goat, knelt beside him, gently cradling his head in her arms. She wore a long dark blue, almost purple robe with a strange symbol etched on the chest.

He groaned in pain when he felt his head hit the floor. The creature gasped and quickly inspected his head, just barely missing his curl. She, as the voice had implied that she was a female, sighed in relief. "You should not move around too much, little one. You took quite a hit from that creature. I do not know how you survived your encounter with it."

"You..." He started, but coughed instead. Flowey really took a number out of him. He felt as if his vocal cords could break. She quickly hushed him, patting his back to ease the coughs.

"Hush, my child. You should not speak, either." She took out a worn flask from underneath her robes and passed it to him. "Drink, little one. You will much better."

He nodded, gratefully accepting the drink. The liquid tasted like clear, fresh water. Clearing his throat, he tried to express his thanks. "Grazie... I thought I.. was dead there..."

"It is fine. Do try not to strain yourself." She stood up, reaching a paw to help the auburn haired nation up. "I am Toriel, caretaker of the Ruins. Every day, I passed here to see if anyone had fallen. You are the first human to fall in a long time."

Italy frowned. First human to fall in a long time? Had there been others that fell before him? He also wanted to explain that he was not a human, but a nation. Seeing as he couldn't really talk at the moment, though, he kept silent. Perhaps he could explain later.

"Let me guide you through the catacombs." Toriel started to walk into the doorway behind her, crossing the patch of greenery in the room. The Italian followed behind, nervously glancing behind occasionally. The next room they entered was certainly brighter than before. Purple brick like walls covered the sides. Ahead of him, two grey flights of stairs lead up to the same floor above. As he got closer, Italy could see red leaves were piled up in the gap between the stairs, as well as some leaves scattered about.

I just hope I can get back soon, he thought as he climbed up the stairs, slowly sipping on the flask of water.

"Welcome to your new home, innocent one." The creature said as they entered the next room, facing him. "Allow me to educate you in the operation of the Ruins."

It was a small room, with green vines up the walls. There was a sign beside the door, stone plates on the right side of the room and a yellow switch on the wall north of the plates. She proceeded to step on four of the six plates and clicked the switch before returning to her original position. The previously locked door opened with a thud. Italy watched curiously at her actions.

"The Ruins is full of puzzles. Ancient fusions between diversions and doorkeys." She explained, gesturing to the left of her, which were where the puzzle were. "One must solve them to move from room to room. Please adjust yourself to the sight of them."

The nation smiled and made an attempt to examine the puzzles further, but was stopped by a sudden throbbing in his head. He closed his eyes and groaned softly. Concerned, Toriel moved to stand next to him.

"Here, allow me to help you." She placed her paws on his back, and a green glow emitted faintly before fading. Italy's headache disappeared, and he could breath easier now.

"How... did you do that?" He asked, looking at her with wonder in his eyes. "Was it magic? I thought magic doesn't exist!"

"Indeed it was." The creature smiled, ruby eyes glinting in affection. "Magic do exist, innocent one. It exist all around us, especially in places like the Underground and our kind, the monsterkind, are able to harness it's power."