Chapter 18

The four sat in the flowers and ate some of the food they’d packed over the king’s tea. Frisk and Grillby were rather surprised about this sudden change in plan, as was the king himself. He wasn’t too sure how to deal with Piper, but he just took her in stride.

“So… you won’t fight me…?” Asgore asked her as he ate her pie. “And why does Tori’s pie taste different.”

“It doesn’t have cinnamon ‘cuz I’m allergic, and no.”

“Why not…?”

She sipped her tea. “It wouldn’t be fair.”

“You outnumber me, if that’s what you are worried about-”

“No, it wouldn’t be fair. You shouldn’t have to do this. Yer not well.”

He frowned. “But I am perfectly healthy…”

She tapped her temple. “Up here. Ya’ve been through a lot. More than any should. Crap like that takes its’ toll. I should know.”

“You aren’t well either…?”

“Nope.” She pat his shoulder. “I wouldn’t be here now if Grillby hadn’t helped me through it. He’s very kind.”

“I see…” He glanced at the fire demon across from him, who was blushing a bit from her compliment. “What are your plans after this? This tea party is nice, but this can’t be your whole plan.”

She put her teacup down on her knee. “I wanna use the six SOULS ya got to open the barrier. Either Frisk or I can do it. Ya don’t need a dead human t do the job.”

“Why should I entrust them to you?”

“Sire…?’ Grillby gave a short bow as Asgore’s attention turned to him. “Piper and Frisk are kind people… They want to help us…”

“And you believe them?”

He nodded. “I trust them with my life, sire… I believe we can trust them with our freedom…, however, we should hurry before a more nefarious character comes along…”

“What do you mean?”

“This frickin’ murderous weed. It wants the SOUL of a human,” Piper said. “It’d do anythin’ to get them. It’s manipulative and evil.”

Frisk nodded. “An evil buttercup.”

Asgore frowned. “Evil flowers…?”

“I have seen it for myself, sire… Even Undyne knows about it….”

“Undyne knows? What about Dr. Alphys?”

“We believe so, sire…”

“Then there certainly is no time to lose.” He got to his feet. “We should make sure they are safe, then act quickly.”

The trio nodded and stood up, allowing the king to lead them to the six SOULS.