The air grew heavier as Frisk sprinted through the darkened path, her breath sharp in her lungs. Waterfall echoed with the pounding of her footsteps, Undyne's armored steps crashing somewhere not far behind. Monster Kid had split off moments ago, yelling something about drawing attention. It was brave—but reckless.
A SAVE point shimmered just ahead, glowing faintly beside a twisted tree root jutting from the wall. Frisk dove for it, palm out.
[SAVE Point Reached: Waterfall Edge]
"The sound of rushing water fills you with determination."
Her body felt lighter, steadier. The strange sensation of anchoring herself to the moment was both comforting and disturbing. This wasn't a dream. It was a checkpoint.
A spear struck the stone beside her as Undyne roared from the shadows, "Run all you like, HUMAN! You can't escape justice!"
Frisk bolted.
—
Meanwhile, deeper in the woods of Waterfall, Sans adjusted the collar of his hoodie, phone tucked between skull and shoulder.
"yeah, yeah, i get it, bro," he said, exhaling through his teeth. "you tried cookin' spaghetti the Undyne way. again. and you forgot you don't have fire magic."
Papyrus's voice screeched through the receiver. "IT WAS A MINOR ERROR IN JUDGMENT! BUT THE STOVE IS… SLIGHTLY LESS ON FIRE NOW!"
Sans groaned. "guess that's what i get for leavin' you unsupervised. hang tight. i'll swing by soon."
He hung up and turned, squinting toward the distant echoes of battle. Spears. Metal clashing. That kid was still alive. Still moving forward.
He didn't move immediately. Watching. Judging. Waiting.
—
Frisk ducked beneath a low overhang, narrowly avoiding a thrown spear that buried itself inches from her head. Her legs burned. Her heart pounded.
But she kept going.
Undyne gave chase without hesitation. "You think running makes you innocent?! You think SPARING monsters earns you mercy?!"
Frisk didn't answer. There was no time for speeches.
As she crossed a narrow wooden bridge, a spear splintered the planks behind her. She stumbled forward and landed hard—mud-caked hands gripping the edge of the cliff.
She pulled herself up and kept moving.
—
Back in Snowdin, Sans teleported to Papyrus's side, coughing slightly as smoke filled the kitchen.
"dude. did the stove do something to offend you?"
Papyrus huffed, standing amidst scorched noodles. "I WAS MERELY IMPROVING MY TECHNIQUE!"
"looks more like you improved the local air pollution."
He sighed. "alright, let's clean this up. can't have undyne smellin' smoke and thinkin' we declared war on your spaghetti."
—
Back in Waterfall, Frisk reached another shimmering light tucked behind a cluster of glowing mushrooms.
[SAVE Point Reached: Echo Cavern]
"The echo of your steps fills you with determination."
Frisk touched it with shaking fingers, just as a shadow loomed behind her.
Undyne was here.
Sword raised. Eyes blazing.
No words.
Just resolve.