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Dess always knew this place was strange.
No.
Not strange.
Pure evil.
Everybody loves to hear spooky stories about the big door hidden far in the woods.
An unusual detail in a boring little town.
And yet, Dess knew this place kept something dark in it.
A dark secret nobody should ever learn.
A secret held by the Boss monsters families : Dreemurrs and Holidays
Dess found the code of the Shelter in her mother files, and graved it on her guitar if something did happen to her.
Wise decision, because tonight something happened.
The four kids were playing in the woods, like they always do during summer nights.
Everything was fine, Dess and Asriel were old enough to watch over little Noelle and Kris.
Noelle was scared, as usual, she never had the temperament of an adventurer, the total opposite of her big sister.
Kris made fun of her friend by sneaking behind her back and making big screams, a real little terror.
The monsters and the human continued to wander in the forest for a few hours, until a shiver ran down Dess’s back.
Kris was now out of sign.
They left her eyes for only a few seconds, how could they suddenly disappear like this ?
Dess and Azzy called for them, screamed their name, searched every corner of the forest.
In vain.
Noelle was crying, afraid that she’ll never see her best friend ever again, Asriel tried to comfort her the best he could.
Suddenly Dess hears a loud noise.
Like a big metal door that would abruptly close.
No.
It couldn’t be…
Dess ran as fast as she could in the direction of the noise, like she expected, it was where the Shelter was.
Why would Kris go into that horrible place ? And how did he manage to enter the code ?
She didn’t have a choice, she couldn’t leave Kris in here, so she took a deep breath and called Asriel.
“Azzy ! Take care of Noelle while I'm gone, I won’t be long !
- Dess, wait !” screamed the fluffy guy running toward her, holding Noelle’s tiny hand.
He wasn’t fast enough to stop the big sister from taping the code, opening the door, and venturing inside the shelter.
December walked inside the long corridor, extending her arms to try to find the wall and maybe a switch to turn on the light, but there was nothing. She heard the door closing behind her back, turning off the last weak light sources. She was in complete darkness. Asriel’s voice disappeared, such as the cry of her little sister.
“Kris ? Are you there ? Do you hear me ? KRIS ?!?! It’s not funny anymore, Noelle and your brother are worried sick !”
But nobody answered her. She continued to walk in small steps, unable to find something to define this place, there were no walls, no sound, no smell.
She walked around 20 meters, 50 meters, 100 meters …
How long was this damn corridor ?
“Why don’t we… go to my house ? We could watch TV, play video games, or I could sing you something with my guitar and you could join me on the big piano… How does that sound to you ?”
The only response she received was the complete and unhealthy silence of the darkness.
She kept walking, still completely blind.
Was Kris really in there ? Maybe she was wrong and they were somewhere behind in a tree, playing Hide and Seak, maybe Asriel found them and now knocks at the door to make Dess leave this place. But she wasn’t crazy, she heard the door closing, it meant that someone opened it. But who ???
She grabs her phone and tries to enter Azzy’s number in the dark. Selecting the good digits is difficult when she can’t even see her hand.
But the sound that comes out is nothing but garbage noises.
She continues to walk for what seems to be an eternity, she doesn’t know where she’s going, she doesn’t know if she’s walking in a straight line, she doesn’t know if Kris is down there, in this endless void.
She wants to scream, filling the wall room with her voice, she wants to crack the walls with all the anger and panic she has right now, she wants to burn everything, so at least she could have some light and warmth. She’s alone, trapped in her own shadow which expands on every corner of her vision.
She’s afraid that if she ever gets the hell out of her she will never be able to admire the sun again with all the black printed in the back of her eyes. She wants to cry every tear of her body, so at least there will be something in this place. She’s all alone, by herself. But the worst of it, it’s that she’s not alone.
There is someone here. On her right, on her left, above her, below her, on her back, right in front of her, everywhere and all at once. Jubilating silently on her distress, smelling her fear.
Then she falls.
A big fall.
She doesn’t understand from where, or in which direction, but she falls.
She tries to scream but the sound is covered by the howling of the speed in her ears.
Every cell of her body is falling apart.
None of her senses can give her a single information, she’s in complete darkness.
It’s too dark.
Darker.
Yet darker.
It doesn't seem to stop, for how long has she been falling ?
A minute ? An hour ? A year ? A second ?
It stopped.
Finally her limbs are on something she can qualify as ground.
She wants to cry, maybe for joy or by pure madness, but she doesn’t have time from this.
In front of her is Kris, laying down, the only thing visible in this hell.
She runs toward them, calling by their name, hugging them.
By the angels.
She doesn’t feel anything, Kris is so cold.
Their whole skin is actually turned blue !
And they are not moving either.
No. It can’t be.
Kris can’t be dead ! Not like this !
“Kris ! Please wake up ! You… you can’t leave me alone in there ! You have to see your brother again ! Kris I’m begging you !”
She holds them as close as she can, warming them in vain.
It’s like Kris' life-force itself left their body.
And, after what seemed an eternity, she can finally see her arms, shined by a red light.
It’s a beautiful light that pierces the shadows of this place, something almost divine.
Kris is irradiated by the strange scarlet luminescence, they start moving again, even though they are very weak.
As the light comes closer to Dess, she realizes it’s an object in levitation.
Heart-shaped.
A magnificent glowing heart fighting the darkness.
“INTERESTING.
TRULY INTERESTING.”
said the man.
There is a man here, or he could be here.
And he might be happy to see them
It’s the forgotten man.
Dess is looking at the man, but she’s not sure she can describe him.
“COME, MY CHILD.
I DO NOT INTEND TO HARM YOU IN ANY WAY .
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SO LONG FOR THIS .
I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU, AND FOR THEM AS WELL .”
Dess holds Kris tighter, she doesn't understand what’s happening but she can’t let the man approach them.
Whoever is the man, he’s not a friend.
“WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP ME CREATING SOMETHING WONDERFUL ?
-S… Stay back ! If you move I…
- I APOLOGISE BUT IT DOESN ’T REALLY MATTER WHERE I STAND .
AFTER ALL I’M THERE BUT I’M NOT REALLY THERE. DON’T YOU FIND IT INTERESTING ?
-I… I don’t get it… What do you want ? Where are we ?
The girl is shaking, it’s getting more and more difficult to breathe. Kris is still unconscious. She has no idea what she can do right now.
- YOUR SECOND QUESTION IS IRRELEVANT, WE ARE RIGHT NOW IN A NO-PLACE. IT IS NOT NOWHERE BUT IT IS NOT REALLY SOMEWHERE .
- E… Enough of you gibberish ! What did you do to Kris ?!
- DO NOT WORRY, THEY ARE ALRIGHT , I SIMPLY NEED TO BORROW THEIR SOUL FOR A MOMENT .
- Kris’s… soul ???
- YOU SEE, CHILD,
I BELIEVE THE BOTH OF US CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT .
IF YOU WANT THE LITTLE HUMAN TO ESCAPE THIS PLACE, YOU HAVE TO LET ME ALTER THE WHOLE SYSTEM .
THIS SOUL BELONG TO HIGHER PLANS OF EXISTENCE.
- What do you mean by that ?
- I NEED THEM FOR THE MOST WONDERFUL EXPERIMENT EVER MADE.
KRIS WILL BE THE HUMAN,
A BRAVE WARRIOR IN SHINING ARMOR.
THE MONSTER AND THE PRINCE WILL FOLLOW SOON AFTER.
- You really think I’m going to let you do this ? Kris won’t be a part of your scheme !
- BELIEVE ME, I TRIED OTHER WAYS, MANY OTHER WAYS.
I HELPED CREATING A VESSEL,
BUT IT FAILED AND THE BODY WAS DISCARDED.
KRIS IS THE ONLY BODY AVAILABLE.
A CAGE, WITH HUMAN SOUL AND PARTS.
THEIR FATE IS ALREADY WRITTEN,
THEY ARE DESTINED TO GREATER DESIGNS.
- You freak ! How can you decide for them while they are not in a state to respond ?! You will not make a decision for them, so will I !
- UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE CAN CHOOSE WHO THEY ARE IN THIS WORLD .
YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT ,
FROM NOW , EVERYTHING WILL BE ABOUT KRIS.
IN THE VERY END,
THEY WILL APPEARS AT WORLD ’S EDGE TO SAVE IT FROM OBLIVION.
AND THAT IS THE PART WHERE YOU COME IN.
- Me ???
- I NEED TO CREATE THE BEST OF THE BEST STORIES, AND EVERY STORIES NEED A VILLAIN.
I NEED YOU TO CREATE THE DARKEST DARKNESS CONCEIVABLE,
TO TEAR THE EARTH APPART AND FILLING IT WITH SHADOWS,
SO THE LIGHT OF KRIS SHINES EVER BRIGHTER.
- You… want me to help you ???
- IT IS THE ONLY WAY FOR KRIS TO EVER LEAVE THIS VOID AND NEVER RETURN TO IT AGAIN. THEY DO NOT BELONG HERE.
- And … What about me ?
- YOU ARE FREE TO GO BUT THEN I AM AFRAID THE HUMAN CAN NOT ESCAPE.
WITHOUT YOU, THERE IS NO STORY, AND WITHOUT STORY, THEY HAVE NO PURPOSE.
I ASSURE YOU, YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS ROLE.
THE DARKNESS ARE ALREADY SHAPING YOU FOR YOUR TRUE DESTINY, DO YOU NOT FEELING IT ?”
Dess was actually less cold and disoriented than before, she was accommodating to obscurity. She was able to see the grievous smile of the man, happy to finally start his plan. No way Dess could accept making a deal with the devil, but she couldn’t find another solution to help Kris. They were still in her arms, barely breathing, it needed their soul -or whatever this heart is- back. Saving Kris was all that mattered right now, but who’s gonna save her ?
“If I accept to serve you, you’ll get Kris out of here, right ?
- IT IS NOT ABOUT SERVING ME, SEE IT AS A COLABORATION.
BUT YES, KRIS WILL BE FREE, NOT FROM THEIR FATE BUT AT LEAST FROM HERE.
- And… I’ll stay with you here… for how long ?
- TIME DOES NOT WORKS QUIT WELL IN HERE,
BUT DO NOT WORRY,
ETERNITY DO NOT LAST FOREVER.
WHEN THE HUMAN AND THE MONSTER WILL BE READY TO MEET THE PRINCE,
THAT WOULD BE THE TIME FOR YOU TO GET OUT OF THE SHADOW.
- And… Noelle, will I ever see her again ?
- JUST LIKE THE REST OF US,
SHE WILL HAVE HER OWN PART TO PLAY,
HER ACTIONS ARE STILL UNCERTAIN,
BUT WHATEVER SHE WILL DO SHE CANNOT MEET YOU UNDER THIS FORM.
I NEED YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
- …”
Dess was speechless, unable to respond to man. The simple thought of abandoning Noelle made her want to puke. She couldn’t imagine the little girl alone in a giant house, with only two workaholic parents. Who will comfort her in the middle of the night ? Who will sing her songs to put her to sleep ? Who will play with her when she is bored ? Noelle is just a child, she needs her big sister.
But Kris was a child too. And they needed her help. She can’t leave them here, alone in an endless void.
“Alright. Put Kris back on the surface and I’ll join you, I’ll do whatever the hell you want.
- EXCELLANT, TRULY EXCELLANT .
The man extended his hand, waiting for Dess to shake it.
Dess take a deep breath, and squeeze the hand.
The man’s hand is so huge compared to hers that she feels like her paw disappeared.
The deal is made.
Now Dess is removed from the story.
And her shadow takes her place.
- Before you free Kris, let me talk to them for a moment.
- TAKE ALL THE TIME YOU NEED .”
Then the man is not here.
Kris is holding Dess tightly, they don’t want Dess to leave them.
They fuss nervously, still unable to speak correctly, while Dess hugs them gently, with one of her hands wandering in their hair.
“Hey, hey, Kris it’s alright, I assure you it’s alright.
She speaks with no fear in her voice, trying to appease them, holding all the tears in the back of her throat
- Listen to me, Kris, it’s very important, I need you to listen carefully.
We’ll do what he told us to do, we’ll play his game along. But in the very end, we’ll do this our own way.
YOU’re the one who chose your destiny, and no one is going to take that from you, I’ll make sure of it.”
Kris’s hold is stronger than ever, they calmed down, but they refuse to let go of Dess.
“I… I’ll be back to you and we’ll be free, I promise.
We’ll find a way to save you from whatever fate awaits you.
Be strong, my little Kris, I know you can handle this.
Even in the darkest places, you have a strong light within.
Use it and nothing will be unstoppable to you"
Then Dess thinks about Noelle, about her cute little smiling face, her antlers that have not yet fully grown, her big front teeth unable to stay in her mouth…
She will never see her grow up, but she’ll find her someday, she doesn’t know how but she will.
Noelle will be so scared, how can she ever comprehend why her sister disappeared ?
She can’t know the truth, not yet.
Or else she’ll try to find her in the shelter.
She wouldn’t be able to recognize her, Dess is already feeling changing, she’s turning into something dark.
Noelle can’t see her like this.
“But please, no one can find out what happened.
It’s the last favor I ask you as December Holiday. Don’t ever speak of this again.
No one can know.”
Kris nods, and the glowing heart finally gets back inside the child.
It looks painful, Kris doesn’t like that.
They don’t want the soul back.
“It’s okay, it’s okay…” she whispered at their ear, unable to do anything else.
The soul returns to Kris's body, and the light in their eyes changes.
It didn’t fade away, it didn’t become brighter, it just changed.
Dess holds the little child as close as possible, comforting them with all the warmth she has left.
Their hug lasts for an unknown time, but it’s good.
It’s the only good thing right here and right now.
Then Kris is not here.
Leaving Dess alone.
In complete darkness.
“WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE IT.
I PROMISE YOU, YOU WON’T BE DESPOINTED
OUR BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL CREATION
MY DELTARUNE”
If someone ever open the door of the shelter and come into this no-place,
maybe they could see them, maybe they could meet them, maybe they could understand them.
A strange duo, forged by fate and duty, waiting for a trio, forged by fate and duty.
The Forgotten Man and the Lost Girl.
--------------------
EPILOGUE :
The Knight is standing at the other side of the lake, hidden among the trees.
Nobody can see her right now, it’s too dark to see anything.
And now she made one with the shadows.
She sits down in the grass, she can smell the petrichor, it’s nice.
Her hand suddenly glows, and a long shaped object appears from it.
It’s not a sword, it’s a guitar.
Then she started singing.
When the light is running low
And the shadows start to grow
And the places that you know
Seem like fantasy
There’s a light inside your soul
That’s still shining in the cold
With the truth
The promise in our hearts
Don’t forget
I’m with you in the dark