UT: Unbound Souls

The maze was dimly lit, with walls of twisting vines closing in around Vance as he took a deep breath, clutching his weapon tightly. Opposite him stood his opponent, the Emo Sweet Corn. It was a strange yet oddly intimidating sight—a monster resembling a corn cob with candy corn accents. Its once vibrant yellows and oranges were muted into dull, moody shades of gray and black, with streaks of dark purple running down its sides like tear stains. A jagged fringe of corn silk drooped over one side of its face, giving it an unmistakable emo aesthetic. Despite the perpetual smile that should have exuded sweetness, there was an unsettling intensity in its glowing purple eyes.

The battle had dragged on for what felt like an eternity. Vance tried again to reach the creature with words, his voice firm yet desperate. "You don't have to do this! I know you're angry, but there has to be a way to solve this without fighting!"

The Emo Sweet Corn ignored his plea. It raised its elongated arms, ending in sharp candy-like claws, and unleashed another barrage of dark energy kernels. Vance's heart raced as he dodged and weaved, the kernels exploding on impact with the ground and walls, leaving singed marks wherever they struck.

He skidded to a halt, panting, his golden soul flickering in the air beside him. "Why won't you listen?!" he shouted.

The Emo Sweet Corn tilted its head, the perpetual smile curling into something sharper, more menacing. "Because words don't matter," it hissed, its voice a low, melodic hum tinged with bitterness. "The world is pain. You can't talk your way out of that."

Another wave of attacks came, faster this time. Vance's soul hovered in front of him, his movements instinctive as he narrowly avoided each strike. His thoughts raced as he tried to think of a way to end the fight peacefully.

"There has to be a way," he muttered to himself. "There's always a way."

But the Emo Sweet Corn's relentless attacks left no room for negotiation. One of its dark kernels finally struck true, hitting Vance's soul. He staggered, bracing himself for the searing pain… but it didn't come.

Instead, his soul flickered and changed. The golden hue shifted to a gleaming silver, radiating a cool, ethereal light. Vance's eyes widened as he felt an unfamiliar sensation wash over him. The impact of the attack had been completely nullified, as though his soul had absorbed it.

"What… what just happened?" Vance whispered, staring at his transformed soul. He felt a strange mix of relief and fear. Was this the ability of his Silver Soul? To negate damage? To shield him?

The Emo Sweet Corn paused, its glowing eyes narrowing as it regarded the new development. "Interesting," it murmured. "But it won't save you."

The creature launched itself forward, faster and fiercer than before, its attacks more chaotic and unpredictable. Vance's Silver Soul pulsed with light, shielding him from the brunt of the onslaught. However it didn't last at it only lasted a few seconds leave him exhausted just after using the Silver Soul's ability, afterwards Vance's movements slowed down as the battle wore on. No matter how many times he tried to reason with the Emo Sweet Corn, it refused to listen.

Finally, Vance stumbled back, his chest heaving as sweat dripped down his brow. The Emo Sweet Corn loomed over him, its smile sharper than ever.

"You're persistent, I'll give you that," it said. "But persistence won't change the truth. The world is cruel, and so am I."

Vance clenched his fists, his mind racing for a solution. His attempts to speak, fight, and even rely on his newfound power had all failed. The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning: this wasn't a battle he could win. Not here. Not now.

Without another word, Vance turned and sprinted down the twisting paths of the maze, his breath ragged and his legs burning. Behind him, the Emo Sweet Corn's laughter echoed, a chilling reminder that this fight wasn't over. But for now, all Vance could do was run and hope he could find a way out before it was too late.

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After what felt like hours of running, Vance finally slowed, gasping for breath. He lit his path with the staff, the silver glow illuminating his surroundings. It was then that he noticed the maze's oppressive walls had given way to something else. The vines were no longer closing in; instead, he found himself standing in a decrepit waterway.

The air was damp and carried the faint stench of stagnant water. The cracked and moss-covered stone walls rose high on either side, and above him, a faint sliver of light hinted at an opening far beyond his reach. The waterway itself was nearly dry, with only small trickles of water running through the grooves in the stone floor.

Vance looked around, his breaths still uneven. The place had an eerie stillness to it, much like the maze, but it lacked the claustrophobic menace of the Emo Sweet Corn's domain. It felt like a reprieve—albeit a grim one.

"This must be the place Decibat mentioned," Vance muttered, recalling the bat monster's advice. He glanced toward the west, where the waterway seemed to slope upward. "If this leads back to the Ruins, I need to keep moving."

As he stepped cautiously along the waterway, his eyes caught a faint glow in the distance. It was a soft, warm light, flickering as though carried by something alive. Vance hesitated, Decibat's words echoing in his mind. Could this be the way out? Or another trap?

"Not bad you actually managed to reach here this fast usually it would have taken much longer since the path here would have taken ages without flight," came a familiar voice, smooth and tinged with amusement.

Vance froze, his heart skipping a beat. He turned toward the light source and squinted, the silver glow of his soul casting faint shadows. Though he couldn't make out the figure clearly, the voice was unmistakable. "Decibat?"

The glow drew closer, and while Decibat's full form remained hidden in the shadows, Vance could see the faint outlines of large, bat-like wings. "You've got a knack for survival, kid after all in the Dark ruins many don't come here without at least being able to defend themselves unlike you. ," Decibat said. "But… wait a second." The bat monster paused, his eyes narrowing. "You're a human?"

Vance tensed, unsure how to respond. Decibat's tone shifted, laced with a mix of surprise and apprehension. "Oh no," Decibat murmured. "I have to—"

Before he could finish, Vance's golden soul shimmered brightly, its light intensifying and releasing an invisible aura. Vance gasped as the glow pulsed outward, brushing against Decibat. The bat monster flinched, then froze, his tense posture easing as the aura seemed to calm him. For a moment, the waterway was silent, the tension dissipating like mist.

Decibat's voice softened, almost thoughtful. "That's… odd. You're under Toriel's care, aren't you? You're not like the other one… the one who came before." He murmured the last part, almost to himself, his expression unreadable in the dim light.

Vance stared at him, still catching his breath, his golden soul flickering gently beside him. The exhaustion from the battle and the maze caught up to him all at once, and he sank to the ground, leaning against the damp stone wall. For now, Decibat didn't seem like a threat. And for the first time since entering the maze, Vance allowed himself to rest

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After catching his breath, Vance leaned back against the damp stone wall. His golden soul floated in front of him, its gentle glow steady and reassuring. Memories of Toriel's lesson resurfaced:

"Your soul is unique," she'd told him. "Golden represents compassion—a light that guides and connects. Silver, on the other hand, is apathy. It shields you when emotions might overwhelm you. Both are part of who you are."

The silver soul had protected him in the maze, but using it left him drained. The golden soul, though, seemed to calm others, like it had with Decibat. The bat monster had said something earlier—about another human, and about Vance being under Toriel's care. Could there be a connection?

Vance glanced at Decibat, who was perched nearby, unusually quiet. Deciding he needed answers, he stood, still clutching his staff.

"Hey," Vance called out, his voice breaking the silence. Decibat's glowing eyes shifted toward him.

"What is it, kid?"

"You mentioned another human. What did you mean by that?"

Decibat sighed and gestured for him to sit. "You've got questions. Fine, I'll tell you what I know—but don't expect all the answers. Some things, you'll have to figure out yourself."

Vance sat back down, his golden soul hovering beside him as Decibat began to speak.

Decibat settled himself, his wings folding tightly against his back. "The last human to fall here wasn't like you," he began, his tone grim. "It was about a year ago. A girl. Wore a tutu and ballet shoes. Her soul was blue—Integrity, they called it. At first, she seemed harmless, maybe even kind. She didn't hurt anyone, not at the start."

Vance leaned forward, listening intently.

"But then…" Decibat's glowing eyes flickered with a mix of anger and unease. "Out of nowhere, she began killing. It started in the Ruins. Monsters she'd smiled at, spoken to—they were gone in an instant. She left chaos in her wake. By the time she reached this place, the Dark Ruins, no one trusted her. The monsters here… they're loners. Some of us prefer the dark, the quiet. She didn't care. She tore through this place too. Families, and friends—wiped out. After that, the survivors were never the same."

Decibat glanced at Vance, his gaze sharp. "That's why monsters around here hate humans. Or fear them. I won't lie—I was ready to fight you when I saw you. You meeting me without a weapon drawn? That's the only reason I didn't attack first."

Vance processed the story in silence, his chest tightening. He thought back to the maze and the Emo Sweet Corn monster that had attacked him. "I… I met someone in the maze," he said hesitantly. "A monster who wouldn't listen to me. It kept attacking no matter what I said."

Decibat tilted his head. "That must've been him. The last of his family. They all lived here before the attack. After what that girl did, he's been like that—angry, violent. Blames humans for everything."

Vance swallowed hard, guilt prickling at his heart. He thought of the monster's bitterness, its refusal to listen, and its relentless attacks. Knowing the reason behind its hostility made him feel heavy with pity. "I… didn't know. I didn't even think…"

"It's not your fault, kid," Decibat said, his tone softening. "You didn't cause any of this. And you didn't lash out either. That already makes you different. Maybe… better."

Vance nodded slowly but didn't speak. The weight of Decibat's words and the memory of the Emo Sweet Corn pressed on his mind. He couldn't shake the image of its glowing purple eyes, filled with pain and anger.

Decibat exhaled, his wings twitching slightly as he leaned back against the stone wall. "That's all I know about her," he continued. "After her rampage through the Dark Ruins, word spread later that she… didn't make it. Apparently, she met her end in the Steamworks. How or why, I couldn't tell you. It's just what I heard." His voice grew quieter, almost reflective. "Not that it erases what she did here. Some scars don't heal, kid."

Vance glanced down, his fingers gripping the edge of his jacket. The idea of someone with a soul as powerful as Integrity falling so far—hurting so many—gnawed at him. He'd heard of monsters fearing humans, but now he understood why in a way that felt far too personal.

Decibat's wings flared slightly as he straightened up. "Anyway, that's all I know about the human and what happened here in the Dark Ruins. I was going to show you around this place, maybe teach you about its secrets. But knowing you're human? I don't think that's a good idea anymore. It's too dangerous." His tone was matter-of-fact, but there was no malice in it.

Vance blinked in surprise. "Too dangerous?"

Decibat nodded. "Yeah. You've already seen how things are down here. Not every monster will give you a chance to talk, especially after what happened before. So, no sightseeing for now. We're taking the fast way back to the Ruins."

"The fast way?" Vance asked, tilting his head.

"There's an old passage that connects this place to the main Ruins," Decibat explained, gesturing with one wing. "It's not exactly a straight path, but it's a lot safer than sticking around here. If you're ready, I'll lead you there. Shouldn't take too long."

Vance hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I'm ready. Let's go."

Decibat smirked faintly. "Good. Stick close, and don't wander off. The Dark Ruins might seem quiet now, but trust me—they're never as empty as they look."

With that, Decibat turned, his glowing wings casting faint light against the dark walls as he began walking. Vance followed closely, his heart pounding with a mix of relief and apprehension. The thought of leaving the Dark Ruins behind was a welcome one, but the echoes of Decibat's tale—and the lingering image of the Emo Sweet Corn—would stay with him long after.

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A few hours later, Vance and Decibat moved cautiously through the twisting pathways of the Dark Ruins. The oppressive silence was broken only by the occasional distant growl or the sound of their footsteps. Several times, Decibat raised a wing to signal Vance to stop, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows.

"Better to avoid conflict," Decibat whispered as they crouched behind a crumbling pillar. "Most of the monsters here aren't the talking kind anymore—not since what happened."

Vance nodded, swallowing nervously. Every tense pause felt like an eternity, but Decibat's instincts proved sharp, and they managed to avoid detection. Between their careful maneuvering, the two encountered scattered puzzles that seemed almost out of place in the eerie, abandoned atmosphere. Levers, switches, and stone slabs with riddles etched into them required teamwork and quick thinking. Vance fumbled through most of them, but Decibat's experience in the ruins made the challenges manageable.

Eventually, they entered an open chamber, unlike any Vance had seen before. The oppressive darkness of the ruins gave way to a space illuminated by a bright beam of light streaming down from above. The source appeared to be a hole in the ceiling, revealing a faintly shimmering surface—a lake, glinting in the ethereal light.

Decibat stopped, folding his wings as he gestured to the beam. "That's it. That path will get you back to the Ruins. There's an underwater lake just past that opening, and it connects to the main section of the Ruins. But here's the catch: I can only carry you partway. My stamina's not what it used to be, and carrying you the whole way would be pushing it. Once I drop you off, you'll have to handle the rest on your own."

Vance hesitated, looking up at the shimmering surface. "The rest… how? I just learned I could use magic today, and all I've done is channel it into my soul. I don't know how to use anything like… air magic."

Decibat let out a long sigh, rubbing his temple with one wing. "You're telling me you've got no idea how to even start? Great. Just great." He muttered something under his breath before shaking his head. "All right, listen up. I'll teach you a few basics. You don't need to be a master—you just need enough to propel yourself through the water and keep breathing."

Vance nodded, his determination outweighing his nerves. "Okay. I'll do my best."

"Good, because this is going to take some work," Decibat said. "Let's start with propulsion."

The next hour was a blur of trial and error. Decibat, whose race had a natural affinity for air magic, demonstrated the basics. His instructions were blunt but effective, and Vance struggled to follow them with his limited magic reserves. Each attempt left him more drained, but with Decibat's guidance—and a surprising amount of patience from the bat monster—he managed to form weak bursts of air to push himself forward. Breathing underwater was even trickier, but Decibat helped him create a small, sustained bubble of air that he could pull around himself.

Finally, exhausted but successful, Vance stood at the edge of the light-filled chamber, his confidence bolstered by Decibat's teachings. "I… I think I've got it," he said, panting slightly. "It's not perfect, but it should work."

Decibat folded his wings, nodding in approval. "Not bad, kid. For someone who didn't even know they had magic this morning, you're a quick learner. Just don't push yourself too hard—your reserves are low, and you'll need to save what you've got for the trip."

Vance looked at Decibat, his expression softening. "Thanks, Deci. For everything. I don't think I could've made it this far without you."

Decibat chuckled, his tone lighter than before. "Yeah, well, don't make me regret it, kid. Seriously, though—don't come back here unless you've got Toriel or you're strong enough to handle yourself. The Dark Ruins aren't a place for just anyone, human or not."

Vance nodded solemnly, his heart heavy with gratitude and respect for the monster who had helped him. "I'll remember that. And… I won't forget you."

Decibat gave him a small, toothy grin. "Good. Now get going before I change my mind about helping you."

With a deep breath, Vance stepped into Decibat's waiting arms, and the bat monster carried him upward, his powerful wings slicing through the air. Halfway through the journey, as promised, Decibat released him into the water, and Vance activated the air magic he had learned. Propelling himself through the lake, he focused on the glow of light ahead, his determination burning brighter with every stroke.

When he finally breached the surface, gasping for air and dripping with water, he found himself in a familiar section of the Ruins. Relief flooded through him, and he glanced back at the lake's surface, silently thanking Decibat once more.