UT: Unbound Souls

Vance stood at the threshold of Toriel's cozy home, his heart pounding. The familiar warmth of the place washed over him, but it couldn't untangle the knot of anxiety in his chest. He had been gone far longer than he intended—long enough to worry even himself.

Peering inside, he saw Toriel pacing in the living room, her phone clutched tightly in one hand. Her normally serene expression was fraught with worry, and she spoke in a trembling voice, loud enough for him to catch snippets of her conversation.

"Yes, I've searched everywhere I could think of," she said. "He's just a boy—a small, human boy! What if something happened to him? I don't even want to imagine..." Her voice broke slightly, and she paused, taking a steadying breath.

Vance's stomach twisted into tighter knots. Each word was a sharp reminder of the trouble he'd caused her. Gathering his courage, he stepped inside, the door creaking softly as it shut behind him.

The sound made Toriel freeze mid-sentence. Slowly, she turned toward the door. When her eyes landed on him, her mouth fell open slightly in disbelief.

"Vance?" Her voice was barely more than a whisper, her phone slipping from her grasp onto the nearby table.

"Hi, Mom," Vance mumbled, his voice barely audible, the word slipping out unconsciously.

For a moment, it felt like time had stopped. The word hung in the air, echoing between them, and Vance's eyes widened as he realized what he had just said. He opened his mouth to explain, stumbling over his words.

"Oh! I—I didn't mean to! I just—it slipped out! I'm so sorry!" He waved his hands, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I didn't mean to call you—"

Toriel stepped forward, closing the distance between them in a few long strides. Before he could finish, she pulled him into a firm yet gentle embrace, her arms wrapping around him as if she was afraid he'd vanish again.

"Oh, my child," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You don't need to apologize. You... you just made this old heart feel so full."

Vance froze, unsure of how to respond. He wasn't used to this kind of affection—not since his previous life, at least. But as Toriel's warmth enveloped him, he slowly relaxed into her embrace, his hands clutching at her robes as though they were a lifeline.

Toriel held him tighter, gently stroking his hair. Tears brimmed in her eyes, spilling over as she smiled softly. The word "Mom" echoed in her mind, stirring emotions she thought she had long since buried. Memories of her own children, Chara and Asriel, flickered to life—memories both sweet and painful.

And yet, looking at Vance, she felt something different. It wasn't just the word that moved her; it was a sense of connection, as though this small child truly belonged here, with her. She couldn't explain it, but the bond between them felt undeniable, as if it had been there all along.

Unbeknownst to either of them, Vance's Golden Soul glimmered faintly, its passive influence gently weaving threads of closeness. Toriel's worry and sorrow ebbed away, replaced by a warmth she hadn't felt in years.

"I was so scared," she admitted, her voice breaking as she pulled back slightly to look at him. Her hands cupped his cheeks, her thumbs brushing away a smudge of dirt. "I thought... I thought I might never see you again."

"I'm sorry," Vance whispered, his voice trembling as he looked into her tear-filled eyes. "I didn't mean to make you worry. I just... I got lost."

Toriel gave a shaky laugh, a mixture of relief and lingering fear. "My dear child, even if you get lost, you must promise me this: you'll always come back. You must come back to me."

Vance nodded, his own emotions threatening to overwhelm him. "I promise."

Toriel's expression softened further, and she pulled him into another hug, this one lighter, as though she wanted to savor the moment rather than cling to it. "You must be tired," she said gently. "And hungry, I'm sure. But first, tell me, Vance. Where have you been?"

Vance swallowed hard, the weight of his journey pressing down on him all over again.

"I..." He hesitated, his voice faltering.

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Vance shifted nervously, glancing up at Toriel's kind yet expectant gaze. Her arms were still loosely around him, her warmth soothing, but the weight of his confession pressed heavily on his shoulders. He knew he had to explain everything.

"I-I… um," Vance began, rubbing the back of his neck. "First, I want to say I'm really, really sorry. I didn't mean to snoop, but… I accidentally found a passage to somewhere called the Dark Ruins. It was—uh—it was behind your room."

Toriel's eyebrows rose slightly, and her warm expression cooled. "Behind my room?"

"Yes…" Vance admitted, swallowing nervously. "I—uh—kinda… peeked into your room." He winced, lowering his head. "I know it was wrong! I shouldn't have done it, especially after you've been so kind to me! But I just… I got curious, and I couldn't help it."

Toriel's expression shifted to a stern frown, and Vance shrank under her gaze. "Child," she said firmly, "it is very improper to invade someone's privacy, especially when they have trusted you."

"I know, I know," Vance stammered, fidgeting with his hands. "I'm so sorry, I really am! It won't happen again—I promise!"

Toriel sighed, her features softening slightly. "I will forgive you, Vance, but only if you promise to respect others' boundaries from now on."

"I promise!" Vance exclaimed, nodding furiously.

Toriel nodded in approval but quickly added, her tone sharper, "One more thing—did you read my diary?"

The question caught Vance off guard, and he froze. His mind raced. He had skimmed the diary while exploring, but now, seeing the way her face turned faintly red and her hands fidgeted, he realized it must be deeply personal. He didn't want to upset her more than he already had.

"N-No, I didn't," Vance lied, his voice trembling slightly. He forced himself to meet her gaze, hoping she wouldn't notice the guilt he was trying to bury.

Toriel visibly relaxed, her shoulders easing. "Good," she said. "A diary is private, and reading someone's innermost thoughts without permission would be a great betrayal of trust."

Vance nodded quickly, relief flooding him as she didn't press further. "I understand," he said earnestly. "I really won't do anything like that again."

Toriel smiled gently. "I'm glad to hear it. Now, go on—what happened after you found the passage?"

Vance shifted nervously in his seat, watching Toriel's gentle but expectant expression. He took a deep breath, preparing to explain the events of his day.

"Well, after I found that hidden passage, I went into this place called the Dark Ruins. It was… really eerie, but kind of cool, too," he began, rubbing the back of his neck. "I met this bat monster named Decibat. At first, I don't think he realized I was human—he just seemed surprised to see someone there."

Toriel tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "He did not recognize you as human?"

"Yeah," Vance confirmed. "I guess it was dark enough that he couldn't tell. Anyway, he gave me this old staff—something from the 'old era,' he called it. It looked pretty worn out, but when I held it, something weird happened."

Toriel leaned forward slightly, her interest piqued. "What happened?"

Vance hesitated, trying to put the strange experience into words. "I… I heard a voice," he admitted. "It was a woman's voice, kind of soft and warm, but also firm. She started… teaching me how to use magic."

"Magic?" Toriel repeated, her eyes widening slightly.

"Yeah," Vance said, nodding. He held up his hand, focusing on the faint spark of energy within him. A small golden flame flickered to life in his palm. "I don't know how it works, but when I grabbed that staff, it was like she just… unlocked something in me. She showed me how to channel my energy, and then the voice disappeared."

Toriel stared at the flame, her gaze unreadable. "Magic is exceedingly rare for humans," she murmured. "It is said to be almost impossible aside from their innate soul trait magic. And yet…"

The flame flickered out as Vance lowered his hand. "I don't know who the voice was," he said, frowning. "But it felt like… she knew me somehow. Like she was connected to me in a way I don't really understand."

Unbeknownst to Vance, the voice he had heard belonged to Chara, her spirit lingering near him alongside another soul—a light blue soul named Nina. Both spirits were bound to Vance's golden soul, their memories hazy and incomplete. Chara felt an odd familiarity with Toriel, though she couldn't recall why, while Nina's presence was quiet, almost dormant.

Clearing his throat, Vance continued his story. "Anyway, after that, I ran into this monster—some kind of emo sweet corn. She attacked me out of nowhere! I managed to dodge and calm her down, but it wasn't easy."

"Oh dear," Toriel said, concern flickering in her eyes. "Are you certain you were not hurt?"

"I'm fine," Vance assured her. "After that, I ran into Decibat again, and he started talking about the last human who came through the ruins—the one with the blue soul. He said they… they did some bad things, but I think they were just scared, like me."

At this, Toriel's expression darkened. Her shoulders tensed, and her hands gripped the fabric of her dress as she looked down at them.

"He said she…" Vance hesitated, gauging her reaction. "She hurt a lot of monsters. In the ruins, and even more in the Dark Ruins. Decibat said she was strong, but… something happened to her in Hotland. There's a place there called the Steamworks, right? He said she… didn't make it out."

Toriel closed her eyes, the weight of the past pressing heavily on her chest. She could still picture the girl in her mind—small, trembling, with bright, determined eyes hiding an undercurrent of fear.

"I met her," Toriel said softly, almost to herself.

Vance blinked, leaning forward slightly. "You did?"

"Yes," she murmured, her voice distant. "She appeared in these very ruins, much like you did. I remember how fragile she looked, yet there was something fierce within her. She was polite, but… she seemed so terribly lost."

Toriel's vision blurred slightly as her mind slipped into the memory.

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Toriel's Flashback

The memory surfaced vividly, as if it had happened just yesterday.

Toriel had been tending to the garden outside her home when she heard soft, hesitant footsteps approaching. Turning, she saw her: a young girl, perhaps ten years old, wearing a simple tutu and ballet shoes. The girl's face was pale, her blue soul pulsing faintly with each shaky step she took.

Toriel's heart sank immediately as she noticed the faint traces of dust clinging to the girl's hands and the hem of her tutu.

"Child," Toriel called gently, stepping forward. "Are you all right?"

The girl froze, her eyes wide and shimmering with unshed tears. "I… I didn't mean to," she whispered, her voice cracking.

Toriel knelt before her, keeping her tone calm and soothing. "What happened, my child?"

The girl's hands trembled as she clenched her fists. "A monster… they attacked me. I… I panicked. I didn't want to hurt them, but they wouldn't stop." She looked down, her shoulders shaking. "I told them to leave me alone, but they didn't listen. And now… now they're gone."

Toriel reached out, resting a hand gently on the girl's shoulder. "You were scared," she said softly. "You were only trying to protect yourself."

"But I still killed them," the girl sobbed. "I tried to stay calm, I tried to just dodge, but I couldn't… I'm a bad person, aren't I?"

Toriel shook her head firmly. "No, my child. You are not bad. You are brave, to face such danger alone. And it takes great strength to feel regret for your actions. That shows you have a kind heart."

The girl looked up at her, her tear-streaked face etched with doubt. "But I don't want to hurt anyone else," she said, her voice barely audible. "I just want to leave. I just want to go home."

Toriel's chest tightened. She saw the raw determination in the girl's eyes, the Integrity that defined her soul. Despite the girl's fear and grief, she stood her ground, resolute in her desire to move forward, even if it meant carrying the weight of her actions.

"You must stay here, little one," Toriel said gently. "The world outside these ruins is far more dangerous. Here, I can protect you. You need not face such trials alone."

The girl shook her head, stepping back. "I can't. I… I have to keep going. I have to." Her voice wavered, but the fire in her eyes didn't falter.

Toriel hesitated, torn between her desire to keep the child safe and her respect for the unwavering will she saw before her. Finally, she sighed, her heart heavy. "If you must go," she said, her voice thick with emotion, "then promise me one thing."

The girl looked up at her expectantly.

"Stay true to yourself," Toriel said. "No matter what lies ahead, remember who you are. Remember the kindness in your heart."

The girl nodded, her lips trembling as she whispered, "I promise."

As Toriel watched her walk away, she whispered a silent prayer, hoping against hope that the world would show her mercy.

Flashback End

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Toriel's chest tightened as the memory faded, replaced by the grim reality.

"But she wasn't safe," Vance said quietly, as if reading her thoughts. "She killed monsters because she was scared. And then… she died anyway."

Toriel opened her eyes, her expression pained. "I did not want to let her go," she whispered. "I thought… perhaps she would be strong enough. Or that the world outside might show her mercy. But… I was wrong."

"She probably thought you were trying to trap her," Vance said gently. "But it sounds like you just wanted to protect her."

Toriel looked at him, her eyes filled with sorrow. "I could not protect her," she said. "And though she harmed many, I cannot bring myself to hate her. She was only a child, lost and afraid. Much like you."

Vance hesitated, the weight of her words settling over him. "I think… I think she was just trying to survive," he said softly. "But I'm not like her. I don't want to hurt anyone."

Toriel's expression softened, and she reached out, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. "You are different," she said firmly. "I can see it in your heart, my child. You carry great kindness within you."

Vance smiled faintly, comforted by her words.

"Please, continue your story," Toriel urged, though her tone remained heavy with the lingering sadness of the past.

Vance nodded, deciding not to press her further about the girl with the blue soul.

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Vance shifted in his seat, his gaze flickering to the floor for a moment, trying to push away the unease creeping back into his chest. He took a deep breath and continued, his voice quiet but determined.

"After that," Vance said, swallowing the lump in his throat, "Decibat and I traveled through the Dark Ruins to find the quickest exit. It wasn't easy. We had to sneak past the monsters living there. Decibat didn't want to get into any confrontations, especially not with them. They were angry, hurting, and far more aggressive than the monsters here in the Ruins."

Toriel nodded thoughtfully, her eyes somber. "Yes, I understand. The monsters in the Dark Ruins... they've been through much more. Their hearts have been damaged by their experiences with humans, and they distrust outsiders more than the monsters here. It's no surprise they would act out of fear and anger."

Vance sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yeah... I could feel that. Every step we took, it felt like we were being watched. Like if we made one wrong move, everything would turn on us. But Decibat was careful. He knew the monsters there, and we managed to slip by."

"That is fortunate," Toriel murmured. "I imagine it was a harrowing experience."

"It was," Vance agreed, looking up at her. "But eventually, we found the quick exit. Decibat... he taught me something. Wind magic. He showed me how to breathe through water and how to make myself light enough to float, like I could fly for a bit. I used it to get out of the Dark Ruins and find my way back to the Ruins here. When I finally made it out, I rushed straight home."

Toriel smiled softly, relieved that Vance had made it back safely. "I'm glad you're here, Vance. You've had quite the journey."

Vance's smile was fleeting, however, and his expression darkened. "Yeah... I guess I'm lucky to have made it back at all."

Toriel, sensing his unease, tilted her head. "What is it, my child? Is there something else troubling you?"

Vance hesitated, the words of Flowey echoing in his mind, like a shadow cast over everything he had just experienced. Do you want to repay Toriel's kindness? The best way to do that is to leave the ruins, take what she's given you, and make something of yourself out there. Don't stay trapped here forever. The voice had been relentless, even now, causing his chest to tighten. It was easier to blame himself, to think that maybe he didn't belong here.

"I… I just don't know," Vance murmured. "Sometimes I feel like maybe I don't deserve to be here. Like I'm just... using your kindness. I don't want to be a burden, Toriel."

Toriel's eyes softened with understanding. She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, her touch warm and reassuring. "Vance, you are never a burden. You've already proven that you have a kind heart. You don't need to doubt yourself. It is not a burden to care for someone who needs help—it is a gift. And you, my dear child, have been a gift to me."

Vance looked up at her, his eyes still conflicted. "But... what if I'm just causing more trouble? What if I'm not meant to stay here? What if I should go back... to my real home?"

Toriel blinked, taken aback by his words. "Your home? You are here now, Vance. And this is where you are loved, where you belong."

Vance bit his lip, still unsure, but his gaze steady. "Toriel... could I leave the Ruins? Could I go back home?"