Broken Souls

Dust and Demons

It had been so long since I'd left HellDin. So long since I've seen Waterfall... or what it used to be. The fields that were once filled with Echo Flowers, now desolate and barren. The sparkling star-like stones that once covered the walls above, now dull and lifeless. Dust of the deceased swirled around our feet as we trudged onwards, not a SOUL in sight. But then again, that was probably a good thing. Papyrus held the human girl close to his battle body, ever vigilant as I walked along at his side. It wasn't far now. I could feel the air growing hotter... the Core was close, and in turn, the Lab.

I could see Papyrus growing tired. He hadn't eaten in days, and neither had I. Taking the girl from his arms, I deemed it my turn to bare the burden, sharing the weight. She wasn't even that heavy, but when you have an empty stomach, even a blade of grass could feel like a bag of bricks.

I felt movement. She was beginning to stir. Was she waking up? "..kiddo..?" I muttered softly, Papyrus leaning in with interest as we came to a halt. "Can ya hear me...?" She made a small sound, much like a helpless kitten, tired and confused. Her eyes fluttered open... her... blue eyes. "H-HUMAN...?" Papyrus spoke softly, seeing the pain and fear within the windows to her SOUL. "W-where... am I...?" She sounded so broken. So afraid. She looked from Pap, then to me, small tears pricking in the corners of her eyes. "It.. h-hurts..." She sobbed horsely, her small form trembling against my skeletal frame.

I could feel my SOUL shatter, and by the looks of it, Papyrus's did, too. "I-IT'S OKAY, HUMAN... WE'RE HERE TO HELP YOU..." He reached out to her, stroking her cheek with his soft gloved hand. Leaning against him, welcoming the comfort, she looked back to me, not even questioning the fact of why she was in the arms of two Monsters. My eye dulled its intensity as I leaned down, pressing my teeth against her forehead. "Rest now, lil' human... you'll be safe with us. Shh..."

I don't know how long we stood there, soothing the broken SOUL, but it wasn't for nothing. Whether it was from the pain, exhaustion, or shock, she slipped back into unconsciousness, leaving us both staring at one another. "...BROTHER... WE NEED TO HURRY."

No more needed to be said. She was fading, and fast. We picked up the pace, moving as fast as we could towards the abandoned Lab. The old building was finally within our sights. ... but of course it was too good to be true. No sooner had we entered the Core Path to the Lab door, did we realize we were no longer alone.

Two Monsters were roaming about near the edge of the cliff drop off, snarling and sniffing at the air. The could smell her blood. I could feel my eye flare up protectively, gripping the girl tightly to my body. If I had to, I would kill them both to protect her, and my brother. The food shortage had dragged many monsters down to caniblism, and these two definitely looked to be the type. Remembering the swirls of Dust on the walk here only proved the point even further, no more evidence was needed. We hadn't much time. "B-BROTHER...?" He stood close beside me, scowling with fear in his eyes at the sight of the dust covered demons. "..." Looking from the hungry Monsters, and back to the two that I had to protect, there was only one thing I could say. "Papyrus... run."