Chapter 22: Vance vs Drak 1

Vance blinked, the world around him snapping back into focus. The dimly lit room, the oppressive weight of Susie's memories—it all vanished, replaced by the familiar sight of the Ruins' central square. The golden light of the setting sun filtered through the cracks in the ceiling, casting long shadows across the stone pathways. Vance's head spun, his golden soul flickering faintly as he tried to steady himself.

Susie was standing a few feet away, her yellow eyes wide and unfocused. She looked dazed, as if she had just woken up from a deep sleep. Her claws twitched at her sides, and her tail flicked nervously. Vance could see the confusion in her expression, the way her brow furrowed as she tried to piece together what had just happened.

"Hey," Vance said softly, taking a cautious step toward her. "You okay?"

Susie blinked, her gaze sharpening as she focused on him. "What… what happened?" she muttered, her voice rough. "I feel like I just spaced out or something."

Vance hesitated, his mind racing. He couldn't tell her the truth—not yet. He had seen too much, too deeply into her past, and he knew how she would react. Susie wasn't the type to take kindly to someone prying into her life, especially without her permission. If she found out he had somehow accessed her memories, she would undoubtedly lash out. And Vance wasn't sure he could handle that right now.

"Uh, I think you just zoned out for a second," Vance said, trying to sound casual. "You looked like you were lost in thought."

Susie frowned, her claws flexing. "Zoned out? That's it?"

"Yeah," Vance said, forcing a small smile. "You've been through a lot. It's probably just exhaustion catching up to you."

Susie narrowed her eyes, studying him for a moment. Vance held his breath, hoping she wouldn't press further. Finally, she shrugged, her expression softening just a little. "Yeah, maybe. This whole thing's been a mess."

Vance nodded, relieved that she hadn't questioned him further. "It has. But we're doing our best to make things right."

Susie didn't respond, her gaze drifting to the ground. Vance could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her claws dug into her palms. She was still on edge, still wary of everything around her. He wanted to say something—to reassure her, to let her know she wasn't alone—but he didn't know how. Susie wasn't the type to accept comfort easily, and Vance didn't want to risk pushing her away.

Instead, he decided to change the subject. "So, uh, how are you holding up? I know this whole situation with the refugees has been… intense."

Susie snorted, her lips curling into a half-smirk. "Intense? That's one way to put it. My dad's been a nightmare, and the rest of these guys aren't much better. I just…" She trailed off, her expression darkening. "I don't know. I guess I just didn't expect things to turn out like this."

Vance nodded, his golden soul pulsing faintly. He could feel the weight of her words, the pain and frustration behind them. "I get it. This isn't easy for anyone. But we're going to figure it out. Together."

Susie glanced at him, her yellow eyes narrowing slightly. "You really believe that, don't you?"

Vance met her gaze, his expression serious. "I have to. If I don't, then what's the point of all this?"

Susie didn't respond right away, her claws flexing as she looked away. For a moment, Vance thought she might say something—maybe even open up a little. But then she shook her head, her tough exterior snapping back into place. "Whatever. Just don't expect me to start singing your praises or anything."

Vance chuckled, relieved by the return of her usual sarcasm. "Wouldn't dream of it."

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As the conversation lulled, Vance felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. His golden soul flickered faintly, the strain of whatever had just happened—whatever power had allowed him to glimpse Susie's memories—taking its toll. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the phone Toriel had given him. It was a sleek, modern device, far more advanced than the old rotary phone he remembered from the game. The screen lit up, showing the time: 8:47 PM.

"Damn, it's late," Vance muttered, rubbing his temples. He hadn't realized how much time had passed.

Susie raised an eyebrow, arms crossed as she leaned against the nearby tree. "You got a curfew or something?"

Vance smirked, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Not exactly. But I should probably head back. Toriel's probably wondering where I am."

Susie shrugged, her expression unreadable. "Suit yourself. I'm not your babysitter."

Vance chuckled, shaking his head. "Thanks, Susie. You're a real comfort."

She smirked, her sharp teeth glinting in the fading light. "Anytime, human."

He was about to turn away when a thought struck him. He hesitated, glancing at Susie again. Her posture was casual, but now that he was paying attention, there was a tension in the way she stood, the way her tail twitched slightly. He knew about the refugee situation near the Ruins' entrance—monsters forced to live in makeshift tents, braving the cold winds that swept down from Snowdin. It was no place for anyone to stay long-term, let alone a young girl like Susie.

"Hey," Vance said, voice softer this time. "You know, if you want… you could stay at my place for a bit."

Susie blinked at him, caught off guard. "Huh?"

"I mean, Toriel wouldn't mind," he continued. "She's been taking in refugees when she can, helping however possible. And since the whole status of the refugees is still up in the air… I figured you might need a better place to stay. It's gotta be freezing near Snowdin, right? The tents don't really do much against the wind."

Susie stared at him, and for a moment, there was only silence between them. Then, to his surprise, her face turned slightly red.

"W-what the hell, dude?" she huffed, crossing her arms tighter. "You barely know me, and you're just inviting me to crash at your place like it's no big deal? You serious?"

Vance tilted his head. "Yeah? I mean, it's not like I'm offering out of nowhere. You're stuck in a tent in freezing temperatures, and I've got a warm place. Why wouldn't I offer?"

Susie groaned, looking away, flustered. "Geez, you're reckless. What if I was some kind of psycho? Or what if I robbed you blind in the middle of the night?"

Vance snorted. "I trust my instincts. And my instincts say you're not that kind of person."

Susie clicked her tongue, shifting her weight from foot to foot. In her mind, she couldn't understand how this guy could be so casual about inviting someone into his home when they had only met hours ago. It was reckless. Dangerous, even. But at the same time…

There was something about Vance. Something that made her feel strangely at ease. She wasn't suspicious of him, not even a little. It was weird, almost unnatural, how quickly she had come to trust him. And not in a 'he's an idiot, I can take advantage of him' kind of way, but in the way that made her chest feel a little too tight.

Still, the thought of taking him up on the offer lingered in her mind longer than she wanted to admit. A warm place, a bed, food that didn't taste like it had been frozen for a week before getting sold at a markup in Snowdin—

And then she thought of Drak.

Her father wouldn't like this. Hell, he'd probably blow a fuse if he found out she even considered it. He already thought she wasn't taking things seriously enough. If she suddenly started staying at some stranger's house, it'd only prove him right in his eyes.

She exhaled sharply. "Nah, I can't."

Vance's smile faltered slightly. "Why not?"

"I gotta help my dad with… stuff," she said, waving a hand vaguely. "Y'know, making sure everything's running smoothly with the others and all that. Can't just up and leave 'em."

Vance narrowed his eyes slightly. He could tell she wasn't being completely honest. The way she said it—like she was making up the excuse as she spoke—was enough of a giveaway. But he wasn't about to push her on it. If Drak was the reason she was rejecting the offer, then forcing the issue wouldn't help either of them.

"I get it," he said after a moment. "Still, if you ever change your mind, the offer stands. No pressure."

Susie scoffed, smirking again, though the flustered pink on her face hadn't fully disappeared. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Not like I needed it anyway."

Vance rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless. "Alright. Guess I'll see you around then."

"Yeah. Try not to die on your way back, human."

With that, he turned and began making his way back toward Toriel's home. But even as he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that Susie's rejection had less to do with her own wants and more to do with her father's expectations. He sighed, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"Guess I'll just have to keep an eye on her," he muttered to himself, his golden soul faintly pulsing as he vanished into the darkness of the Ruins.

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Vance made his way through the Ruins, his steps slow and deliberate. The exhaustion was catching up to him, his golden soul flickering faintly as he walked. He needed rest, but his mind was still racing, replaying the events of the day.

As he approached Toriel's home, he spotted Lila fluttering toward him, her delicate wings shimmering in the dim light. "Vance! There you are. I was just about to come looking for you."

Vance smiled, though it was tinged with weariness. "Hey, Lila. What's up?"

"The council's still debating," Lila said, her voice tinged with frustration. "They're not going to reach a decision tonight. I thought you should know."

Vance nodded, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Thanks, Lila. I figured as much. I'll check in with them tomorrow."

Lila nodded, her expression softening. "You look exhausted, Vance. You should get some rest."

"Yeah," Vance said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I think I will."

As Lila fluttered away, Vance stepped inside Toriel's home. The warmth and familiar scent of butterscotch pie welcomed him like an old friend. Toriel was in the kitchen, her back turned, humming softly to herself. Vance hesitated for a moment before calling out.

"Hey, Toriel. I'm back."

Toriel turned, her kind eyes lighting up as she saw him. "Ah, my child. I was beginning to worry. How did everything go?"

Vance sighed, sinking into a chair at the kitchen table. "It's… complicated. But we're making progress. I think."

Toriel nodded, her expression thoughtful. "These things take time. But I have faith in you, Vance. You have a good heart."

Vance smiled faintly, his golden soul pulsing faintly. "Thanks, Toriel. That means a lot."

As Toriel busied herself with preparing a late dinner, Vance leaned back in his chair, his mind drifting back to Susie. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew one thing for certain: he wasn't going to give up on her. No matter how tough she acted, no matter how much she pushed him away, he would be there for her.

Vance let out a deep sigh as he leaned against the kitchen table, exhaustion pressing down on him like a heavy weight. His golden soul pulsed faintly in his chest, a dim but steady glow. He hadn't realized how drained he was—not just physically, but emotionally as well.

Toriel moved gracefully around the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared a small, late dinner. The familiar scent of butterscotch pie mixed with something savory, filling the cozy home with warmth. It was a stark contrast to the cold, uncertain world outside, where monsters huddled near the Ruins' entrance in makeshift shelters, still waiting for a decision from the council.

"You must be starving, my child," Toriel said gently, setting a bowl of warm stew in front of him, along with a fresh slice of pie. "Eat. It will help you recover your strength."

Vance smiled at her, though there was tiredness in his expression. "Thanks, Toriel. You're always looking out for me."

Toriel's gaze softened as she took a seat across from him. "Of course. That is what a mother does, is it not?"

A quiet warmth spread through Vance's chest at her words, but guilt settled there too. He'd called her "Mom" earlier by accident, but now… he wasn't so sure it had been an accident at all.

Pushing the thought aside, he picked up his spoon and took a bite of the stew. It was rich and hearty, filling him with warmth almost instantly. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until now.

Toriel watched him eat with a gentle smile before speaking again. "You seemed deep in thought when you arrived. Something on your mind?"

Vance hesitated, then nodded. "It's about Susie."

Toriel tilted her head slightly. "The young monster you spoke with earlier?"

"Yeah." He sighed, setting his spoon down. "She's tough, but I can tell she's going through a lot. The refugees outside… their situation is rough. The tents aren't enough against the cold, and even though they have food, it's not exactly comfortable living out there." He ran a hand through his messy hair. "I offered for Susie to stay here. Just for a bit. I figured you'd be okay with it."

Toriel blinked in surprise before letting out a small chuckle. "Oh, my child. You truly have a kind heart. Of course, I would not mind."

Vance smirked. "I knew you wouldn't."

"But I take it she refused?"

"Yeah." He leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. "She acted all flustered about it, making up excuses about needing to help her dad. But I could tell she wasn't being completely honest."

Toriel sighed softly. "Family… can be complicated. Perhaps she feels a sense of duty toward her father, even if she wishes for something else."

Vance nodded. "Yeah. I figured that too. Her dad, Drak… I get the feeling he's not the kind of guy who lets her make a lot of choices on her own. I didn't want to push her too hard, though. She needs to make her own decision."

Toriel smiled, a proud glint in her eyes. "That is very mature of you, Vance."

He shrugged. "I just don't want to make her situation worse."

Silence settled between them as he continued eating, the warmth of the food easing some of the tension in his body. Toriel stood up after a while and busied herself cleaning up, humming softly as she did. The familiarity of it all, the warmth, the quiet companionship… it made Vance feel at home in a way he hadn't expected.

After finishing his meal, he stretched his arms with a yawn. "I think I'll turn in for the night. It's been a long day."

Toriel chuckled. "Yes, I imagine it has. Rest well, my child."

Vance nodded and headed to his room, shutting the door behind him. The bed looked more inviting than ever, but there was one last thing he wanted to do before sleeping.

Sitting cross-legged on the mattress, he closed his eyes, focusing on his soul. Now that he had eaten and rested a bit, his strength had returned. It was time to try again.

Chara… Nina…

He called to them in his mind, reaching through the golden warmth of his soul. Usually, when he did this, he could feel their presence immediately—their emotions, their responses, sometimes even their shared senses. But this time…

Nothing.

At first, he thought maybe his connection was still weak. But then, after a moment, a faint presence flickered to life before him. A small, light-blue glow manifested—Nina.

Vance let out a breath. "Nina… where's Chara?"

Nina's form hovered in front of him, her expression unreadable. "She's… pouting."

Vance frowned. "Still? Over our argument from this morning?"

Nina hesitated before nodding. "Yeah… she's being stubborn."

Vance sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I should've known. She always gets like this when things don't go her way."

Nina crossed her arms, looking slightly amused. "You should just leave her alone for a bit longer. She'll come around."

Vance nodded, but something about Nina's tone made him pause. "Wait… are you hiding something?"

Nina averted her gaze, muttering under her breath, "Maybe it's about Susie…"

Vance raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Nina flinched slightly before shaking her head. "Nothing. You didn't hear anything."

Vance narrowed his eyes, but before he could push further, Nina quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, just give Chara some space. She'll be fine. Probably."

Vance let out a long sigh and flopped back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. Chara was still mad, and Nina was acting weird. And Susie… she was another mystery altogether.

His golden soul pulsed faintly as exhaustion finally pulled him under.

For now, he would rest.

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The morning sun had already risen high in the sky by the time Vance made his way toward the council's gathering area near the refugee camp. The chill of the previous night still clung to the air, but the sounds of movement and hushed voices around the camp signaled that another busy day had begun.

Lila, one of the council members, caught sight of him and approached with a composed expression.

"Vance, you're just in time," she said. "The council has reached a decision. They're planning to announce it soon."

Vance nodded, unsurprised. Toriel had left before dawn as usual, carrying the weight of the council's expectations. She was respected as the head of the group, and the tribal leaders who had settled in the Ruins deferred to her judgment. It made sense that she had gone ahead even earlier than the previous day.

As he walked toward the gathering area, Vance turned his focus inward. He had tried calling for them yesterday, but Chara had refused to respond. Today, though, something felt different.

Chara… Nina… he called out in his mind once more.

This time, both presences flickered to life before him. Nina's light-blue glow hovered near his shoulder, while Chara stood in front of him, her arms crossed and lips pursed in a pout. Though her expression was still tinged with irritation, it was clear she had cooled down considerably from the day before.

Vance let out a breath and smiled slightly. "I'm glad you're here."

Chara huffed, looking away. "I never left. I was still listening yesterday."

"I know," Vance said softly. "And I wanted to apologize. I was too insistent on my own views. I didn't listen to your perspective properly, and I dismissed what you were trying to say." He met her gaze sincerely. "That was wrong of me. I promise to take your thoughts into consideration from now on."

Chara's red glow flickered slightly as she glanced at him, her expression softening just a bit. "...Yeah, well, I wasn't exactly fair either." She sighed. "I just wanted to reject the idea outright. I didn't even stop to consider that maybe you had a point too."

Vance chuckled. "So… we both messed up?"

"Seems like it." Chara crossed her arms again but no longer looked upset.

There was a brief silence between them before Chara's eyes darted away. She shifted slightly, as if hesitant to speak.

"What is it?" Vance asked.

Chara hesitated before muttering, "You… spent a lot of time with that girl yesterday."

Vance blinked. "Susie?"

Chara's lips pressed into a thin line. "Yeah. I might not have manifested, but I was still aware of what was happening."

Nina let out a small giggle from the side. "She peeked at you two hanging out, actually."

"N-Nina!" Chara shot her a glare, her red glow flaring slightly. "I was just—! It wasn't—!"

Vance tilted his head, then realization dawned on him. "Wait… are you jealous?"

Chara immediately looked away. "No! I just—ugh." She groaned in frustration before folding her arms. "It's just… I don't have a body like she does. I can't just… talk to you normally. Or stand beside you. Or—" She cut herself off, her voice quieter now. "It's frustrating."

Vance frowned, feeling a pang of sympathy. "Chara…"

She let out a sigh, still not looking at him. "Forget it. It's dumb."

Vance shook his head. "It's not dumb. I get it." He gave her a reassuring smile. "You're still here, though. And even if you don't have a body, that doesn't change the fact that you're important to me."

Chara blinked at him before quickly looking away again. "Idiot," she muttered, but there was no bite in her tone.

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Before Vance could say anything else, the sound of murmuring voices ahead caught his attention. They had arrived at the camp.

The air was thick with tension. The refugees stood in clusters, their tired faces a mixture of hope and apprehension as they faced the council. Toriel stood at the center, her regal posture unwavering. When she noticed Vance approaching, her eyes flickered to him for the briefest moment before she turned her focus back to the gathered crowd.

"After much deliberation," Toriel announced, her voice carrying over the uneasy murmurs, "the council has come to a decision. We will allow the refugees to enter the Ruins and stay as residents."

A collective murmur ran through the crowd. Some refugees exhaled in relief, hope rekindling in their weary eyes. Others seemed hesitant, as if waiting for the other shoe to drop. And drop it did.

"However," Toriel continued, her voice firm, "Drak and his subordinates will be placed under strict monitoring and restrictions due to past actions."

Silence stretched for only a second before the quiet murmurs turned to hushed whispers of uncertainty. Tension coiled in the air, thick like a storm about to break. Then, a scoff echoed through the gathering.

"Tch."

Drak stepped forward, his sharp-toothed smirk twisting into a sneer. His bulky frame seemed to loom over the others as he crossed his arms, exuding defiance. "If that's the case," he drawled, his tone dripping with disdain, "then we'd rather not join at all."

Gasps rippled through the refugees. Eyes darted between each other in shock and disbelief. Some looked at Drak with uncertainty, others with outright distress. It was clear that not everyone shared his sentiment.

"Drak, you can't be serious!" one of the refugees exclaimed, stepping forward. His fur was matted with dust from travel, and his voice wavered with desperation. "We've been wandering for too long! We don't have enough supplies to last another journey!"

Drak's expression twisted into a glare. "So you'd rather be treated like prisoners?" he shot back, his voice laced with venom.

"At least we'd be alive!" another refugee shouted.

The murmurs grew louder, more frantic. A clear divide was forming within the refugees—those who saw safety within the Ruins and those too loyal or too afraid to oppose Drak.

Vance clenched his fists, his gaze locked onto Drak as frustration boiled within him. Drak was throwing away a chance at stability, dragging innocent monsters into his selfish crusade. It was infuriating.

Then, from the corner of his eye, Vance noticed movement.

Drak turned suddenly, his sharp eyes landing on Susie, who stood near the front of the group. Her expression was tight, conflicted.

"You agree with me, don't you, Susie?" Drak's voice was sharp, pressing. "You understand that we shouldn't bow to their rules."

Susie hesitated. Her fingers twitched at her sides, and for a moment, it looked as though she might waver.

"I…"

Drak's expression darkened. Without warning, he reached out and grabbed her wrist, his grip tightening like a vice. "You better not be thinking of betraying us."

Susie flinched, her face contorting in pain as she tried to pull away. But Drak's grip was unyielding.

Vance's body moved before his mind could catch up.

"Let. Her. Go."

His voice was low, but the weight behind it sent a ripple through the gathered crowd. The murmur of voices halted. Eyes turned toward him, some wide with surprise, others filled with curiosity.

Drak's gaze snapped to Vance, his sneer returning. "And what if I don't, kid?"

Vance met his gaze without flinching. His golden soul flickered to life, hovering just in front of him. But then, as anger surged through his veins, the glow shifted. The gold was swallowed by silver, its light shining bright and untamed.

"Then I challenge you to a battle."

A heavy silence fell upon the camp. The air grew thick, suffocating with the weight of the challenge. Even the wind seemed to still.

Drak blinked before throwing his head back with a bark of laughter. "A battle? What kind of joke is this?"

Vance didn't waver. His expression was cold, his silver soul pulsing in time with his heartbeat. "If I win, the refugees stay," he declared. "But you and your lackeys leave. Forever."

Drak's amusement faded. His red eyes studied Vance for a long moment, as if measuring his resolve. Then, a wicked grin stretched across his face.

"Fine," he said, rolling his shoulders. "But don't expect me to go easy on you, brat."

Vance's grip tightened, his silver soul glowing brighter, crackling with energy.

This battle would decide the fate of the refugees—and Vance wasn't about to lose.

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