Chapter 26: Departure

The morning sun filtered through the cracks in the Ruins' ceiling, casting a soft, golden glow over the stone pathways. Vance stood in his room, carefully packing the last of his belongings into a sturdy satchel. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but he forced himself to focus on the task at hand. Today was the day he would leave the Ruins for the first time since arriving in the Underground, and he needed to be ready.

His bag was filled with essentials: a change of clothes, a few rations of food, a small notebook, and a pouch of Mythril shards—just in case. He also carried his staff, its silver aura faintly glowing as he slung it over his shoulder. It had become an extension of himself, a symbol of the strength he had gained over the past few months.

As he finished packing, Vance took a moment to look around the room. It had become his sanctuary, a place where he could retreat and gather his thoughts. The walls were adorned with small trinkets and drawings given to him by the monsters of the Ruins, each one a reminder of the bonds he had formed. He would miss this place, but he knew he had to go. The future of the Ruins depended on it.

With a deep breath, Vance stepped out of his room and into the hallway. The Ruins were quieter than usual, the festivities of the previous night having left most of the monsters sleeping in. The silence gave him time to reflect as he made his way to Toriel's home, where he would say his goodbyes.

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Toriel was waiting for him in the living room, her expression a mix of pride and concern. She had been up early, preparing a small breakfast for him—snail pie, of course. The scent of freshly baked pastry filled the air, and Vance couldn't help but smile as he entered. It was such a simple thing, yet it carried so much warmth.

For a long time, he hadn't had something like this—a place where he was cared for unconditionally. Toriel had become his home, and now, leaving it behind, even temporarily, felt heavier than he expected.

"Good morning, my child," Toriel greeted, her voice warm yet tinged with sadness. She gestured toward the table, where a neatly set plate with a fresh slice of pie and a cup of tea awaited him. "I thought you might like something to eat before you go."

Vance sat down across from her, glancing at the meal. The pie's crust was golden brown, and the scent of cinnamon and honey drifted through the air. His heart clenched slightly. It was just like every other morning here, but today felt different. Today, he would be leaving.

"Thank you, Toriel," he said, picking up his fork. "You didn't have to go through all this trouble."

Toriel shook her head, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Nonsense. It is the least I can do." Her smile wavered slightly, the weight of their impending farewell settling between them. "You have done so much for us, Vance. I… I just want to make sure you are taken care of."

Vance nodded, taking a small bite of the pie. It was warm, sweet, and filled with a kind of love that couldn't be explained in words. He had grown so close to Toriel over the past few months, and despite knowing this day would come, despite knowing he had to go, it didn't make it any easier.

As they ate, silence stretched between them, heavy and unspoken. The warmth of the room, the familiar flicker of the fireplace, the scent of home—it was all so comforting. It made leaving even harder.

Then, finally, Toriel broke the silence.

"Vance, I… I know you have to go, but I can't help but worry." Her voice trembled slightly, her fingers tightening around her teacup. "The Underground can be a dangerous place, and New Home… it is not like the Ruins. There are monsters there who might not see you as we do."

Vance swallowed the bite in his mouth, setting down his fork as he met her gaze. "I know, Toriel. But I have to do this. If I don't, the Ruins could be in danger. I can't let that happen."

Toriel's ears drooped, and she sighed deeply, setting her cup down. "You sound just like him."

Vance blinked. "Like who?"

"The Kindness Soul," she murmured. "The child who stayed here before you… he always wished to help others, even at the cost of his own safety. He was so determined to do good, to ease the suffering of others… but in the end, I could not protect him." She looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "And now, here you are, walking down a similar path."

Vance felt his heart tighten. He had heard of the Kindness Soul before, but to be compared to them now—right when he was about to leave—he knew exactly what Toriel was thinking.

She was afraid.

She was afraid that if she let him go, he wouldn't come back.

"Toriel," Vance said carefully, leaning forward, "I'm not going to disappear. I'm not leaving forever. I'll come back."

Toriel's hands curled into fists in her lap. "You do not know that."

Her voice was sharp, sharper than he had ever heard it before.

"Toriel—"

"You do not know that," she repeated, firmer this time. "The others said the same. Every single one of them. They all told me they would return. But they never did."

Vance was silent. He could feel the weight of her grief pressing down on him, and it made his chest ache. He knew she wasn't trying to be controlling. She wasn't trying to stop him out of selfishness.

She was just… scared.

Scared of losing another child.

Vance took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "I understand why you're afraid, Toriel. And I won't pretend I can promise things will go exactly the way I want them to. But… this isn't like before. I'm not running away. I'm not going into this blind. I have you, and I have others who believe in me. I'm not alone in this."

Toriel's lip trembled slightly, and for a moment, she looked like she wanted to argue further. But then she sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead. "You are as stubborn as the others," she muttered, though there was no real anger in her voice.

Vance let out a small chuckle. "I think that means you did a good job raising me."

Toriel blinked at him before letting out a quiet, tired laugh. "Oh, my child…"

She reached across the table, taking his hands in hers. "You will always have a home here, Vance. No matter what happens, remember that."

Vance squeezed her hands gently. "I know."

A silence settled between them, but this time, it wasn't heavy with sorrow. It was warm, filled with an understanding that words couldn't quite capture.

Finally, Toriel took a deep breath and stood. "There are two Royal Guards waiting to escort you. I… I spoke with them beforehand. I needed to be certain they were good monsters, that they would not harm you."

Vance raised an eyebrow. "You had a separate meeting with them?"

Toriel nodded firmly. "I would not allow just anyone to take you away from here. But after speaking with them, I believe they are trustworthy. They are bound by duty, but they are not cruel. They will keep you safe on your journey to New Home."

Vance exhaled slowly. That was one less thing to worry about. If Toriel had taken the time to ensure his safety, he had to trust her judgment.

"Alright," he said, standing up from his chair. "Then I guess it's time to go."

Toriel's hands tightened slightly at her sides, as if she were holding herself back from stopping him one last time. Then, finally, she nodded.

"Be careful, my child."

"I will."

And with that, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face against her soft fur. Toriel stiffened for only a moment before melting into the hug, holding him close.

The moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Susie appeared in the doorway, arms crossed, her usual scowl in place—but there was something softer beneath it, a hesitance that hadn't been there before.

"Hey. You ready to go, or what?"

Vance looked up from his nearly packed bag, pausing for a moment as he took her in. She was still the same rough-around-the-edges monster who threatened to bite off someone's face if they annoyed her, but there was a difference now. The sharp edges of her demeanor had softened—not dulled, but no longer meant to push people away as aggressively as before.

He nodded, slinging the bag over his shoulder. "Yeah, I'm ready."

Susie shifted on her feet, her tail flicking behind her. "Good. Just… don't do anything stupid, alright? We need you back here in one piece."

Her tone was gruff as always, but there was an unmistakable sincerity behind it.

Vance chuckled, feeling a familiar warmth in his chest. "I'll be careful, Susie. I promise."

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, well… just make sure you keep that promise. Or else."

It was her usual response, but there was no real bite to it—just a poorly disguised way of saying, 'I care.' Vance had spent enough time with her over these past few months to know that by now.

Susie had come a long way from the girl he had first met on that chaotic day when the refugees arrived at the Ruins. Back then, she had been defensive, volatile, snapping at anyone who dared to come near. Most of the refugees—already wary of humans—had kept their distance from her, whispering behind her back. She was Drak's daughter, after all. Even after his defeat and exile, the scars of his rule still lingered, and many of the monsters who had suffered under him weren't quick to forget.

She had acted like she didn't care. But Vance had seen the truth.

The loneliness. The quiet pain she hid behind her sharp words and even sharper teeth.

He had glimpsed it during their first real conversation, when his soul had reached out—triggering that strange power of his, the one that sometimes let him see fragments of another's past. That time, it had been Susie's childhood. A life where the only warmth she had ever known came from a single person. Noelle. The only one who had ever truly seen her, who had stayed by her side even when the rest of the world looked at her with fear or disgust.

But Noelle wasn't here.

And for a long time, Susie had acted as though that meant she had to be alone.

But she wasn't alone anymore.

The past months had been filled with moments—small ones, quiet ones—that had slowly chipped away at the walls Susie had built around herself.

Vance had made it a point to spend time with the refugees, not just as the so-called "Manager of the Ruins," but as someone who genuinely wanted to help. He helped rebuild homes, organized food distributions, and even just sat with them, listening to their worries.

And Susie—though she had initially scoffed at his efforts—had always been watching.

At first, she had only stuck around out of boredom, leaning against whatever wall was nearby, arms crossed, making sarcastic remarks about how Vance was trying too hard. But over time, something shifted.

She started joining in.

At first, it was small things. Carrying supplies, lifting heavy debris when monsters were too exhausted to do it themselves. Then, she began talking more—not just to Vance, but to the refugees who had once feared her.

And they, in turn, started to see her for who she really was.

Not Drak's daughter.

Not some violent brute.

Just… Susie.

The girl who grumbled about chores but still showed up to help.

The girl who acted like she didn't care but always made sure no one was left out during meals.

The girl who, despite everything, was trying.

And now, she wasn't just a part of the Ruins—she was someone the other refugees had come to rely on.

There had been a night, just a few weeks ago, when a young monster had been too scared to sleep. They had nightmares, haunted by memories of the Steamworks and the cruelty of the past. Susie, of all people, had been the one to sit with them until they finally drifted off, muttering about how it was "a pain" but never once leaving their side.

Vance had seen it.

And he had smiled.

Because no matter how much Susie insisted she didn't care—she did.

And right now, as she stood before him, arms crossed, acting like she wasn't the least bit worried about him leaving—

Vance knew better.

Toriel, who had been watching their exchange with a mixture of amusement and sadness, finally stepped forward. "Vance, before you go… I want you to know how proud I am of you."

Her voice was soft, filled with a mother's love. "You've grown so much since you arrived here, and I know you will do great things in New Home."

Vance felt a lump form in his throat, but he forced himself to smile. "Thank you, Toriel. That means a lot."

She stepped forward, pulling him into a tight embrace. Vance hugged her back, holding onto the warmth of her presence one last time. When they finally pulled apart, Toriel's eyes were filled with unshed tears, but she smiled through them.

"Be safe, my child. And remember… you are always welcome here."

Vance nodded, his own eyes stinging. "I will. Thank you, Toriel."

As he turned to leave, Susie fell into step beside him. They walked in silence for a moment, the weight of the farewell settling between them.

Then, without looking at him, Susie spoke.

"You better come back, Vance. I'm not gonna be the one to explain to Toriel if you don't."

Vance chuckled, adjusting his bag. "I'll be careful, Susie. I promise."

Susie's tail flicked. "Yeah, well… just make sure you keep that promise. Or else."

He glanced at her, noting the way her expression was slightly tighter than usual. She wasn't good with goodbyes.

Neither was he.

But this wasn't goodbye.

Not really.

Vance looked ahead, towards the path that led out of the Ruins, and took a deep breath.

A new journey awaited.

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Vance stepped out of Toriel's home, the cool morning air brushing against his face as he adjusted the strap of his satchel. The Ruins were quieter now, the echoes of the previous night's festivities replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. The path ahead was familiar, yet today it felt different. Today, he wasn't just walking through the Ruins—he was leaving them, even if only temporarily.

As he made his way toward the larger entrance of the Ruins—the one Garfield and Martlet had designated as their meeting point—he couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia. The stone pathways, the glowing lanterns, the vibrant flowers—it had all become so familiar, so comforting. This place had become his home, and the thought of leaving it behind, even for a short time, was harder than he had anticipated.

Along the way, he passed by several monsters who were already up and about, tending to their daily tasks. A group of Froggits hopped by, waving enthusiastically as they called out, "Good luck, Vance!" A Loox paused from sweeping the pathway to give him a thumbs-up, and a Whimsun fluttered by, offering a shy smile. Vance waved back, his heart swelling with gratitude. These monsters had become his family, and their support meant more to him than he could express.

Lila walked beside him, her wings fluttering nervously as she clutched a stack of papers. "Are you sure you're ready for this, Vance?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Vance nodded, though he couldn't quite hide the tension in his shoulders. "As ready as I'll ever be. I just need to make sure everything here is taken care of while I'm gone."

Lila smiled, her expression softening. "You don't have to worry about that. I'll handle everything. Just… focus on staying safe, okay?"

Vance returned her smile, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, Lila. I know I'm leaving the Ruins in good hands."

As they walked, Vance began delegating tasks and outlining the plans he had prepared with the council for the Ruins' ongoing development. "The next phase of housing construction should start next week," he said, pulling out a small notebook from his satchel. "I've already spoken with the builders, and they know what to do. Just make sure they have enough materials. Oh, and the Mythril-powered lanterns—we need to install them in the new residential area as soon as possible."

Lila nodded, scribbling notes on her papers. "Got it. I'll make sure everything runs smoothly."

Vance paused, glancing at her. "And the food distribution—make sure everyone gets their fair share. We've made a lot of progress, but we can't afford to let anyone go hungry."

Lila smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Vance. I've got it covered. You've done so much already—just focus on your journey."

Vance sighed, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. "Thanks, Lila. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Lila's wings fluttered happily. "You'd probably be buried under a mountain of paperwork."

Vance chuckled, the tension in his chest easing slightly. "Yeah, probably."

As they approached the entrance of the Ruins, Vance spotted Garfield and Martlet waiting near the large stone archway. Garfield was leaning casually against the wall, his single eye scanning the area with practiced vigilance, while Martlet stood nearby, her feathers ruffling slightly as she adjusted her spear.

Vance turned to Lila, offering her a small smile. "This is it, I guess."

Lila nodded, her expression a mix of pride and sadness. "Take care of yourself, Vance. And remember—we're all rooting for you."

Vance reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Thanks, Lila. I'll be back before you know it."

With that, he turned and walked toward Garfield and Martlet, his heart pounding in his chest. As he approached, Garfield straightened, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Took you long enough, kid. Ready to go?"

Vance nodded, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Yeah. Let's do this."

Martlet stepped forward, her feathers puffing up slightly as she saluted. "We'll be taking the fastest route to New Home," she explained, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "It'll take us through Lower Snowdin, the Greenhouse, and the Neon District before we reach the Core's transit system. From there, it's a straight shot to the capital."

Vance blinked, his curiosity piqued. "Lower Snowdin? The Greenhouse? Neon District? I've never heard of those places."

Martlet's eyes lit up, clearly excited to share her knowledge. "Oh, right! You've only been in the Ruins, haven't you? Well, let me explain!"

She gestured for Vance to follow as they began walking, her voice animated as she spoke. "Snowdin is split into two districts—Upper and Lower. Upper Snowdin is way up in the mountains, where it's always snowy and cold. That's where most of the monsters live, and it's where the famous Snowdin Town is located. You've probably heard of it, right?"

Vance nodded, recalling the snowy town from his memories of the game. "Yeah, I've heard of it."

Martlet beamed. "Well, Lower Snowdin is a bit different. It's not as cold as Upper Snowdin since it's closer to the Underground's central heat sources. The area is known for its dense snow-covered forests and serves as a vital resource hub for many resources for the underground such as wood and ice. A lot of the materials are gathered here as it's also nearby mines where majority of the minerals of the underground also originate, besides that it's also a leisure spot for monsters."

She continued, gesturing ahead. "One of its main attractions is the Honeydew Resort. It's a warm lodge with hot springs, and monsters from all over come to relax there. It even hosts live performances! It's a real contrast to the chilly Upper Snowdin."

Vance listened intently, intrigued. Lower Snowdin wasn't just an empty path to pass through—it was a thriving part of monster society, one he hadn't expected.

Martlet continued talking, her steps light against the stone-covered path as she gestured ahead. "After Lower Snowdin, we'll be heading toward the Greenhouse. It's the only place in the Underground where we get ample light from outside the barrier—enough to actually grow crops on a large scale."

Vance's eyes widened. "Wait, light from outside? I thought the barrier completely blocked off the surface."

Martlet nodded. "Mostly, yeah. But there are weak points—thin spots where energy and light still seep through. The Greenhouse was built in one of those spots. A long time ago, monster scholars discovered the area and realized they could harness the natural light to grow plants more efficiently than anywhere else in the Underground. Over time, it became a huge farming hub."

She glanced back at Vance, smiling. "It's honestly one of the most important places down here. Without it, we'd be relying entirely on small community farms, gathered food, and trade. The Greenhouse lets us grow things in bulk—grains, vegetables, fruits, even some surface crops that were brought down ages ago."

Vance rubbed his chin, intrigued. "I never thought about how food worked down here. In the Ruins, it was mostly foraging or small-scale farming, but an actual large-scale farm? That's pretty impressive."

Martlet chuckled. "And it's not just normal farming. The Greenhouse combines magic and technology to make sure everything grows as efficiently as possible. Some monsters specialize in plant-based magic, keeping the soil healthy and ensuring crops thrive even without direct sunlight. Others use old human technology that was salvaged and repurposed over the centuries."

Vance's curiosity grew. "So, does that mean the Greenhouse is self-sustaining?"

"Mostly," Martlet replied. "But it still needs workers to maintain it. The Greenhouse is run by a community of monsters who dedicate themselves to farming and food production. They keep the entire Underground fed."

Garfield, who had been walking silently beside them, finally spoke up. "And then there's the Neon District. That's where things get… interesting."

Vance turned to him, curious. "What's the Neon District like?"

Garfield smirked, his single eye twinkling with amusement. "It's the most technologically advanced area in the Underground. Think bright lights, towering buildings, and machines everywhere. It's like a city from the surface, but with a monster twist."

Martlet nodded, her feathers ruffling with excitement. "It's where a lot of the Underground's engineers and scientists work. They're always coming up with new inventions and improvements. It's really cool!"

Vance couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "It sounds incredible. I can't wait to see it."

As they continued walking, Vance's mind wandered to the journey ahead. The Underground was so much bigger and more complex than he had imagined. There was so much he didn't know, so much he had yet to explore. The thought was both exciting and daunting.

"You're awfully quiet," Chara's voice chimed in, her tone teasing. "What's going on in that head of yours?"

Vance glanced to his side, where Chara and Nina hovered invisibly beside him. "Just thinking about everything we're about to see. It's… a lot to take in."

Nina smiled, her presence warm and reassuring. "It's exciting, isn't it? I've never been outside the Ruins before. I can't wait to see what the rest of the Underground is like."

Chara crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "It's been a long time since I've seen the Underground. Back when I was alive, it was mostly empty—just a few scattered settlements. It's amazing how much it's changed."

Vance nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "Well, I guess we're about to find out."

As they reached the entrance of the Ruins, Vance took one last look at the place he had come to call home. The stone pathways, the glowing lanterns, the vibrant flowers—it was all so familiar, so comforting. He would miss this place, but he knew he had to go.

Garfield stepped forward, his voice breaking the silence. "Alright, kid. Time to go."

Vance nodded, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Yeah. Let's do this."

With that, they stepped through the archway and into the unknown, the journey to New Home—and whatever lay beyond—awaiting them.