UT: Unbound Souls

Two weeks had passed since Vance's battles with the monster leaders, and the Ruins were beginning to stir with a newfound sense of purpose. The once-quiet corridors now echoed with the sounds of hammering, chatter, and the occasional burst of laughter. Vance had thrown himself into the work with a determination that surprised even Toriel. His days were filled with meetings, planning, and hands-on labor, all aimed at improving the lives of the monsters who called the Ruins home.

Today was a significant milestone. After weeks of discussions, debates, and careful planning with Toriel and the representatives of each monster race, Vance was finally ready to implement the first phase of his plans. The Ruins, though still worn and weathered, were beginning to show signs of change. Small but meaningful improvements were taking shape, and Vance could feel the growing sense of hope among the monsters.

Vance stood in the central square of the Ruins, which had once been little more than a dusty clearing but was now being transformed into a hub of activity. Under his direction, a group of froggits, looxs, and vegetoids worked together to repair the cracked stone pathways and build simple wooden benches. The Migospel and a few Whimsuns fluttered about, carrying supplies and offering encouragement. Even the usually reclusive Moldsmals had emerged to help, their gelatinous bodies proving surprisingly useful for patching up small cracks in the walls.

"Alright, everyone!" Vance called out, clapping his hands to get their attention. "Let's take a quick break. We've made great progress today, and I don't want anyone overworking themselves."

The monsters paused, some wiping sweat from their brows while others exchanged tired but satisfied smiles. Vance couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. This was what he had been working toward—a community coming together, not out of obligation, but out of a shared desire to make things better.

Toriel approached, carrying a basket of freshly baked snail pies. "You have done well, my child," she said, her voice warm with approval. "The monsters are beginning to see the fruits of your labor."

Vance grinned, though he couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious. "It's not just me, Toriel. Everyone's been working hard. I'm just… coordinating things."

Toriel chuckled, setting the basket down on one of the newly built benches. "Modesty suits you, but do not downplay your role. You have inspired them, Vance. That is no small feat."

As the monsters gathered around to enjoy the pies, Vance took a moment to reflect on the past two weeks. It hadn't been easy. Convincing the monsters to trust him, and to work together, had required patience and persistence. But slowly, they had begun to see him not as an outsider, but as someone who genuinely cared about their well-being.

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One of the more challenging aspects of Vance's efforts was his attempt to contact the monsters of the Dark Ruins. After his accidental visit there and his encounter with Decibat, Vance hoped to extend his efforts to improve their living conditions as well. However, the monsters of the Dark Ruins were far less receptive.

"They don't want help," Decibat had told him during one of their secret meetings. The bat-like monster had become an unlikely ally, sneaking out to meet Vance in the quieter corners of the Ruins. "They're stubborn, Vance. They don't trust outsiders, especially humans."

Vance had sighed, frustrated but understanding. "I get it. I don't want to force them, but… I can't just ignore them either."

Decibat had nodded sympathetically. "I'll do what I can. I can't promise much, but I'll try to make things a little better where I can."

True to his word, Decibat had been quietly improving the Dark Ruins in small ways—fixing broken lanterns, clearing debris, and even organizing a few of the more reclusive monsters to help each other out. Vance had secretly contributed by sending supplies through Decibat, though he knew it was only a temporary solution. For now, it was the best he could do.

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After finishing his work helping the monsters in the Ruins, Vance took a moment to rest, wiping the sweat from his brow. As he sat against a worn stone wall, his thoughts drifted back to the Dark Ruins. He knew he wasn't making a direct impact there, but in some way, his efforts here were still helping. If the Ruins thrived, perhaps one day, even the most isolated monsters would feel safe enough to step forward. It wasn't the solution he wanted, but it was a start.

His brief respite didn't last long. A young Loox monster, barely taller than his knee, stepped forward with a determined expression. "You're him, right? The human who beat all the elders?" The child puffed up his chest. "I wanna fight you too!"

Vance blinked in surprise before breaking into a small smile. News of his battles had spread fast.

The battles with the monster elders had been a turning point for Vance, not just in earning the respect of the Ruins' inhabitants but also in deepening his understanding of his unique soul...

The battles with the monster elders had been a turning point for Vance, not just in earning the respect of the Ruins' inhabitants but also in deepening his understanding of his unique soul. From the moment Toriel explained the nature of his golden and silver soul traits—compassion and apathy—Vance knew his soul was different. But it wasn't until he faced the elders in combat that he truly began to grasp the weight of what that meant.

During his fight with the Froggit elder, Vance felt his golden soul pulse with a strange warmth every time he successfully dodged an attack without retaliating. It wasn't just about proving himself; it was about showing the monsters that he wasn't there to harm them. He was there to stand with them, to fight for them, even if it meant enduring their attacks without striking back. This act of compassion, of putting others before himself, seemed to strengthen the golden aspect of his soul, making it glow brighter and more steadily.

By the time he faced the Astigmatism elder, Vance had noticed a subtle shift in his soul. The golden glow remained dominant, but the silver flicker beneath it—the apathy trait—had begun to grow as well. It wasn't a negative change, as Vance had initially feared. Instead, it seemed to balance him, grounding his compassion with a sense of calm detachment that allowed him to think clearly even in the heat of battle. It was as if the two traits were working in harmony, each enhancing the other.

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As the young Loox grinned with satisfaction from their spar, Vance ruffled the child's head, earning a playful protest. The short match had been more of a game than a battle, but it clearly meant a lot to the little monster. Seeing how his presence inspired others, even in small ways, made Vance feel like his efforts weren't in vain.

After their break, the monsters returned to their tasks, and Vance joined them, using his wind magic to lighten the workload. Though his five-year-old body was still weak compared to an adult's, it was nothing like when he first arrived—malnourished and fragile. Toriel's cooking and his growing connection to his soul had strengthened him, allowing him to contribute more than ever. With each gust of wind he summoned, clearing debris or lifting supplies, he felt more in tune with himself.

Later in the evening, after a long day of work, Vance sat by the fire in Toriel's home, his golden soul glowing faintly in the dim light. His muscles ached from the labor, but it was a satisfying kind of exhaustion. He stretched his arms over his head, letting out a content sigh as he watched the flames dance.

Just as he began to relax, a flicker of red light caught the edge of his vision. Before he could react, a smirking, sharp-eyed specter materialized beside him, arms crossed, looking entirely too pleased with herself.

"Yo," Chara greeted casually.

Vance jolted upright. "Seriously? Again?!"

Before he could even finish his complaint, a soft, blue shimmer formed beside him as Nina's more delicate form flickered into view. She looked a little sheepish, but not enough to stop her from chiming in, "We did say we'd be checking in more often."

Vance groaned, rubbing his temples. "I told you two—if you're going to show up like this, at least warn me first! You know it takes a toll on my soul when you both manifest outside my mind like this."

Chara waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, come on. You've been getting stronger every day. You're not gonna collapse like you did the first time we showed up." She grinned wickedly. "Remember? You hit the floor so fast, I thought you died."

Vance shot her an unimpressed glare. "That's not funny."

Nina, ever the peacemaker, gave Chara a disapproving look before turning to Vance. "She's not wrong, though. You have gotten stronger. The first time we appeared, I could barely hold myself together. I couldn't even talk to you properly." Her gaze softened. "But now, it's different. We can actually talk like this without you completely burning out."

Vance exhaled sharply, resting his chin on his hand. "Still, I'd rather not push it when I've already had a long day."

Chara flopped onto her back in the air, floating effortlessly. "Yeah, yeah. You're tired. We get it." She smirked, tilting her head toward his chest. "But that golden glow of yours says otherwise. You're getting stronger, Vance. Not just physically, but your soul. The golden part, especially. It's… brighter."

Vance raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. "Brighter? What does that even mean?"

Nina's soft voice chimed in, her presence always a soothing contrast to Chara's bluntness. "It means your compassion is growing. The more you help others, the stronger that part of your soul becomes. It's not just about feeling sorry for them, Vance. It's about understanding them, wanting to help them, and being willing to sacrifice for them. That's what's making your soul stronger."

Vance frowned, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "But what about the silver part? The apathy? I thought that was supposed to balance things out."

Chara smirked again, her red eyes gleaming in the firelight. "It does. The apathy keeps you from burning out. It's like… a safety valve. Without it, you'd probably exhaust yourself trying to help everyone."

Vance considered this, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames. "So… the more I help others, the stronger my golden soul gets, and the apathy keeps me from going overboard?"

"Basically," Chara said with a shrug. "But don't go getting a big head about it. You've still got a long way to go."

Nina giggled softly, her voice like the tinkling of wind chimes. "She's right, though. You've made a lot of progress, Vance. But there's still more to learn."

Vance sighed, shaking his head before a small smile tugged at his lips. "Well, I guess that's something to work toward."

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Vance sighed, shaking his head before a small smile tugged at his lips. "Well, I guess that's something to work toward."

Before either Chara or Nina could respond, Toriel's voice called out from the kitchen. "Vance, dear! Dinner is ready!"

Chara perked up immediately, her red eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oh, finally! Took her long enough—what's on the menu?"

Nina let out a soft giggle, her presence flickering lightly beside Vance. "Does it matter? Everything she makes is delicious."

Vance rolled his eyes, already predicting where this was going. "You two do realize you don't actually need to eat, right?"

"That's not the point," Chara huffed. "Besides, we found a loophole, remember? As long as you use a little bit of soul magic in your mouth, we can taste whatever you eat."

Vance groaned, rubbing his temples. "Yeah, yeah… And ever since then, I've been bullied into trying random foods you two want to taste."

"Correction," Chara interjected smugly, "good food. You can't tell me that chocolate cake last night wasn't the best thing you've had in weeks."

Vance grimaced. "Toriel's starting to worry about my teeth, thanks to you."

Nina only hummed contentedly. "Sweet things are nice, but I like everything. Maybe we can try something savory tonight?"

Vance let out a resigned sigh as he stood up and stretched. "Let's just see what's for dinner."

As he stepped into the dining room, he was greeted by the cozy sight of a well-prepared table, lit by the gentle glow of candlelight. Toriel was setting down a warm plate of food, her expression kind as she gestured for him to sit. But it wasn't the food that immediately caught his eye—it was the golden flower sitting in a pot at the center of the table.

His gaze lingered on it, something in his chest tightening.

Chara, noticing his sudden silence, raised an eyebrow. "Thinking about that flower again?"

Vance didn't answer immediately, his mind already pulling him back—to earlier this week.

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Vance's boots scraped against the old stone floors of the Ruins as he made his way through the winding corridors, his eyes scanning the dimly lit paths for any sign of the flower he knew all too well. It had been nearly two weeks since Flowey last showed himself, and that silence was unsettling.

Flowey was always around. Always watching.

And yet, no matter how deep into the Ruins Vance wandered, no matter how many times he retraced his steps, the little flower never appeared. Not in his usual spots near the cracks in the walls, not by the dried-up patches of soil where he'd once taunted passing monsters. It was as if he'd vanished entirely.

Chara's voice cut through his thoughts. "You're wasting your time, you know."

Vance sighed, brushing a hand through his hair. "I know, I know. But I can't just let him run around causing trouble."

Nina's soft voice chimed in, her tone gentle but firm. "Chara's right, Vance. Flowey's not going to show himself unless he wants to. You're better off focusing on the monsters who actually want your help."

Vance frowned, his golden soul pulsing faintly in his chest. "But what if he's planning something? What if he's just waiting for the right moment to strike?"

Chara's spectral form flickered into view, floating just ahead of him, her red eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Then you'll deal with it when the time comes. But until then, you're just spinning your wheels."

Vance hesitated, his fists clenching slightly at his sides. He didn't like the idea of just waiting. Flowey wasn't just some lost soul—he was dangerous. He had no compassion, no remorse, no sense of limits. If he was quiet, it wasn't because he was gone. It was because he was planning something.

But despite that, there were no traces of him. No ominous laughter from the shadows, no taunts echoing through the empty halls. The Ruins felt empty without him.

"…Fine," Vance muttered, turning away from the dark corridor that led deeper into the Ruins. "But if he shows up, I'm holding you two responsible."

Chara smirked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh no, whatever will we do?"

Nina giggled softly, her presence flickering beside him. "We'll be here, Vance. No matter what."

Vance exhaled, casting one last glance down the shadowed path before making his way back to the central square.

Yet even as he walked away, the unease lingered.

Flowey was still out there.

Waiting.

And that meant trouble was only a matter of time.

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The flashback faded as Vance found himself back at the dinner table, his gaze still locked onto the golden flower in the pot.

Chara's voice was softer this time, less teasing, more thoughtful. "…You really think he's planning something?"

Vance's fingers twitched against the table. He didn't think. He knew.

Toriel's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Vance, dear? Are you alright?"

He blinked, snapping back to reality, and forced a small smile. "…Yeah. Just thinking."

Toriel smiled gently, setting a bowl of stew in front of him. "Well, let's focus on dinner for now, alright?"

Vance nodded, but as he reached for his spoon, his mind remained elsewhere.

Flowey wasn't gone.

And sooner or later, he was going to make his move.

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As the evening wore on, Vance finished his dinner with Toriel, savoring the warm, home-cooked meal. Though Toriel couldn't hear or sense them, Chara and Nina were very much present, their voices filling his mind as they shared in the experience.

"That was surprisingly good," Chara admitted, a rare note of appreciation in her voice. "Didn't think I'd be into vegetable stew, but here we are."

Nina giggled. "Toriel's cooking is always wonderful. I wish we could eat for real, but this is the next best thing."

Vance smirked slightly as he picked up his empty bowl and placed it in the sink. "I'll let Toriel know her cooking passes the ghost approval test."

With dinner finished, the house was filled with a comfortable silence, the fire crackling in the background as Toriel busied herself with a book. Vance stretched, already making his way toward the bathroom. "Alright, I'm taking a bath before bed."

Chara's snarky voice cut in. "Oh? So, what, we're just supposed to wait outside?"

Vance immediately scowled, heat rushing to his face. "Yes! Because you two are girls! I don't care if you're ghosts, it'd be weird!"

Nina, predictably, sounded embarrassed. "Of course, we wouldn't follow you in! That'd be—!"

Chara, on the other hand, was having far too much fun with his reaction. "Pfft! What, are you hiding something from us? Come on, Vance, it's not like we can even—"

"Don't even finish that sentence!" Vance snapped, turning red as he pointed toward the hallway. "Go do… ghost things! Explore the house or something!"

Chara huffed, folding her arms as she floated back toward the main hall. "Fine, fine. Come on, Nina, let's go 'explore.'"

Nina, looking caught between amusement and sympathy for Vance, followed after Chara. "We'll be back later."

As the two spirits drifted away, Vance sighed, rubbing the back of his head. It had only been two weeks since they had first manifested, but already, things had changed. He was getting used to their presence—more than that, he had started to understand them.

He recalled the first few days after their initial appearance when their forms flickered in and out of existence, unstable and barely able to hold their shapes for long. It had taken time for them to grow strong enough to stay visible, and even now, their ability to interact with the world was limited. But that didn't stop them from inserting themselves into his life at every opportunity.

And, if he was being honest with himself, he didn't really mind.

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Flashback

The morning after Vance's negotiations with the monster leaders, he woke up to the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the cracks in the Ruins' ceiling. He stretched, feeling the lingering ache in his muscles from the previous day's battles. As he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he noticed something unusual—two faint, flickering forms hovering at the foot of his bed.

Chara and Nina.

Vance blinked, his heart skipping a beat. "You're back," he said, his voice tinged with surprise and relief. "Where have you been all this time?"

Chara smirked, her red eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Around. You didn't think we'd just disappear, did you?"

Nina's form shimmered softly, her light blue glow adding a calming presence to the room. "We've been here, Vance. Watching. Waiting. It's just… harder for us to manifest sometimes."

Vance frowned, his golden soul pulsing faintly in his chest. "Harder? Why?"

Chara crossed her arms, her expression turning serious. "It takes energy, Vance. Your energy. The stronger your soul gets, the easier it is for us to stay visible. But if you're tired or stressed, it's like trying to hold onto smoke."

Nina nodded, her voice gentle. "We didn't want to burden you. Not when you were already dealing with so much."

Vance sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're not a burden. I just… I didn't know you were still here."

Chara's smirk returned, her tone teasing. "Well, now you know. So, what's the plan for today, oh great Manager of the Ruins?"

Vance groaned, flopping back onto the bed. "Don't call me that. I'm just trying to help."

Nina giggled softly, her presence flickering beside him. "And you're doing a wonderful job, Vance. The monsters are starting to believe in you."

Vance smiled faintly, feeling a sense of pride swell in his chest. "Thanks, Nina. That means a lot."

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As the days passed, Vance found himself growing more and more accustomed to the presence of Chara and Nina. Their conversations became a regular part of his daily life, and he began to rely on their guidance and companionship more than he cared to admit.

Chara, despite her sharp tongue, had a way of cutting through Vance's doubts and fears. She was blunt, often brutally so, but her words carried a truth that Vance couldn't ignore. She pushed him to be better, to think critically, and to never back down from a challenge.

Nina, on the other hand, was a source of comfort and reassurance. Her gentle words and kind demeanor helped to balance out Chara's abrasiveness, and Vance often found himself turning to her when he needed a reminder of why he was doing all of this in the first place.

Together, the three of them formed an unlikely but effective team. Vance had come to see Chara and Nina not just as ghosts tied to his soul, but as friends—friends who understood him in a way that no one else could.

One afternoon, as Vance worked on repairing a crumbling wall with a group of Froggits, Chara's voice suddenly piped up in his mind. "You're holding the hammer wrong, you know."

Vance paused, glancing down at the tool in his hand. "What are you talking about? I'm holding it just fine."

"No, you're not," Chara insisted. "You're gripping it too tightly. You're going to tire yourself out before you even finish."

Vance sighed, adjusting his grip. "Better?"

"Marginally," Chara replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Nina's voice chimed in, her tone gentle but amused. "She's just trying to help, Vance."

"Yeah, yeah," Vance muttered, though he couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Chara."

As he continued working, Vance found himself feeling a strange sense of nostalgia. Talking to Chara and Nina, despite their spectral forms, reminded him of the friendships he had left behind in his previous life. It was comforting, in a way, to have people—or ghosts—who understood him and supported him, even if they did so in their own unique ways.

Flashback End

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Later, as Vance soaked in the warm bath, he let out a long, content sigh. The water soothed his aching muscles, and the quiet of the bathroom gave him a rare moment of peace. He leaned back, closing his eyes as he reflected on the past two weeks.

Despite the challenges, the exhaustion, and the constant worry about Flowey, Vance couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment. He was making a difference. The monsters were starting to believe in him, to trust him. And with Chara and Nina by his side, he felt like he could face whatever came next.

"This is… nice," he murmured to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Weird, tiring, but… nice. I'm happy here. I'm helping people. That's all that matters."

As the steam rose around him, Vance felt a sense of peace settle over him. The road ahead was long, and there were still many challenges to face. But for the first time in a long time, he felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

And somewhere, deep within his soul, the faint silver flicker pulsed in response.