POV: Sans
The air in Waterfall was thick with silence—broken only by distant drips echoing off stone walls and the occasional flicker of glowing reeds. Sans stood near one of the crystal-lit outcroppings, his hands tucked in his hoodie, eye sockets half-lidded but watchful.
Frisk was close. He could feel it.
He'd been keeping tabs—not stalking, just… observing. Each RESET, each choice. So far, things had stayed neutral. A few dodged attacks. A few quiet stares. Mercy over mayhem. That was a relief.
Still, he knew better than to trust a quiet run. One bad choice, and everything could turn.
He leaned against the cavern wall, letting his thoughts drift.
"Feels like we're heading straight into a boss fight…" he muttered, eye flashing faint blue. "Let's hope she's not ready to 'try again' just yet."
---
POV: Frisk
Frisk walked slowly, her shoes damp from the mossy floor. The path narrowed ahead, torchlights growing dimmer.
She reached out and felt it—
[SAVE Point Detected.]
A soft golden shimmer hovered in the air. She stood still and let it wash over her.
Do you want to SAVE?
> Yes.
She exhaled. That warmth in her chest again. Not joy—just... stability. A quiet anchor in a world full of unknowns.
Then came a voice.
"Whoa! You're here already? That's awesome!"
Frisk turned. Monster Kid stood nearby, perched on a ledge, eyes wide with excitement.
"You totally solved that puzzle with the mushrooms back there, huh? I kept stepping on the wrong ones and getting sent back!"
Frisk gave him a soft look. Her lips parted.
"…It wasn't too bad."
Monster Kid lit up like the mushrooms themselves. "Whoa! You talked! That's so cool!"
She tilted her head. "We've talked before."
He blinked, then laughed awkwardly. "I-I know! I just… you usually don't say much. It's still awesome."
Frisk gave a faint smile. It didn't reach her eyes.
"Are you following me?"
Monster Kid jumped down beside her. "Nah! Okay, maybe a little! I just think it's really cool how you're not scared of anything. I bet Undyne would love you!"
Frisk paused at the name.
"Undyne?"
Monster Kid gasped. "You don't know who Undyne is!? She's, like, the coolest, strongest, most awesome warrior in the Underground! She's, like, the captain of the Royal Guard! Everyone wants to be like her!"
Frisk's brow knit. So this was the person who'd been watching from afar. Throwing spears. Testing her movements.
"She's been following me," Frisk murmured.
Monster Kid blinked. "Whoa… she noticed you? That's, like, super rare! Man, you are cool!"
But Frisk didn't respond. Her fingers subtly hovered near her SAVE point, just in case. Just a habit now.
The air grew tense.
Far ahead—mist swirled and cleared. In the distance, tall and armored, a shadow moved through the waterway.
Frisk's heartbeat slowed. Her feet stayed planted.
Undyne was coming.
And this time, it wouldn't be a puzzle or trap she could step around.
---
POV: Sans
From far above, hidden in the shadows of a crystal ridge, Sans watched the interaction unfold. He frowned.
"She doesn't know what she's walking into…"
He considered stepping in.
But no. Not yet.
He adjusted his stance and prepared to wait.