Dont give up

After Frisk shattered the barrier by harnessing the power of the human souls, the monsters and humans finally found a feeling of lasting peace. They reached a mutual agreement to coexist on the surface once again.

Among the humans, those with red souls are an incredibly rare sight, as there is only one known individual possessing such a soul—Frisk.

Here I am today, studying the history of humans and monsters in school. My name is Jan, and to be honest, I'm soulless. While others possess souls representing qualities like Integrity, Kindness, Perseverance, etc, my soul remains empty.

I don't experience emotions like others do. Not even once.

"Hey Jan, feeling down today?" a familiar voice called out.

I turned to see Rob, the guy who addressed me. "Hey, Rob," I replied timidly.

Rob let out a sigh and looked at me with disgust. "You should really consider therapy. Honestly, you look terrible," he remarked, prompting laughter from the other boys.

"Is that so? I'm glad to see your kindness shining through," I said sarcastically.

Rob grabbed my collar, anger flaring in his eyes. "What the hell did you say?" His hand clenched into a fist adorned with an orange glove. "Say it again."

I see, So that's the bravery soul. How fortunate for everyone to have souls, while I remain empty-handed.

"Hey, stop that!" a girl's voice interrupted.

"Sit down, Jane, or I'll beat you up too," Rob threatened.

"Stop being a jerk, Rob!" Jane retorted.

Rob gritted his teeth and released his grip on me as he returned to his seat.

Jane looked at me and smiled. I could see her soul—a vibrant shade of green. Kindness, it must be.

A new presence entered the classroom—a monster dressed in a white robe and wearing glasses. She appeared small in stature but carried an air of authority. "Hello, high schoolers! Today, I'll be your new science teacher. My name is Dr. Alphys, and I was one of the royal scientists in the underground," she introduced herself, writing her name on the board with chalk.

"Now that I've introduced myself, does anyone want to share their own introduction?" Dr. Alphys asked.

At first, no one raised their hand, but then Jane bravely volunteered, raising her hand and standing up. "My name is Jane! I'm 16 years old, and I actually really like donuts!" she shared, accompanied by a warm smile.

"Very good, Jane! Who's next?" Dr. Alphys encouraged.

One by one, everyone in the class began introducing themselves, until it was my turn. I reluctantly stood up from my chair and looked down at the floor. "My name... is Jan," I said timidly.

The class burst into laughter, but Dr. Alphys quickly tapped the wooden podium, commanding their attention. "That's enough now!" She walked over to me, concern evident in her voice. "Are you okay? Do you need any help?"

"N-No... I'm fine," I replied, my voice barely audible.

She looks at me for a bit and nodded. "Alright, Let me know if you need anything." She then heads to the podium. "Now then class! Let's get started!"

The class proceeded as Dr. Alphys delved into the topic of souls.

Souls, there are seven types of human souls. People possess them, and these souls can be utilized in various ways. Some individuals even transform them into weapons. For instance, Bravery can become a boxing glove, and Justice can be fashioned into a gun or bow.

Although there were instances of soul abuse, the royal guard, along with the assistance of the police force, efficiently apprehended offenders.

Finally, lunchtime arrived, I swiftly left the classroom and made my way to my favorite spot—the rooftop. Along the way, I noticed a figure with medium-length straight brown hair, short choppy bangs, and a long-sleeved neon green sweater with a single horizontal cream stripe.

"Hm? A human? No, who are you?" she pondered aloud, turning to face me. Her eyes held a curious gaze. "You don't seem to have a soul."

"I don't..."

"Hmm~ You don't seem to be lying either," she mused, taking a step closer and meeting my gaze. She carried a thoughtful expression on her face. "Let me offer you a piece of advice," She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in. "Don't give up." With a nod, she turned away and left the rooftop.

I glanced back, only to find that she had vanished. "How peculiar," I muttered to myself, settling down on the floor to enjoy the lunch box my brother had prepared for me.

As I took a bite from my lunch, a deafening explosion shattered the tranquility of the city. The school was not far from the site, so the blast was uncomfortably close. Startled, I dropped my lunch and rushed to the edge of the rooftop, where I witnessed a distressing scene: monsters battling against each other.

"Huh? Why are they...?" I squinted my eyes, trying to make sense of the chaotic fight unfolding before me. "That's a different kind of monster... But why? I thought monsters and humans had achieved peace." I closed my eyes, shaking my head. "Whatever... It's not my problem."

I assumed that Miss Undyne, known for her exceptional combat skills, could swiftly put an end to the conflict. However, news of the fighting spread rapidly. It was not just monsters against monsters, but humans against humans as well.

The battles revolved around the territory, with the monsters asserting that the opposing faction did not belong to their underground community.

Amidst the escalating conflict, Asgore, the leader of the monsters, and the President issued a lockdown, bringing everything to a standstill. The suspension of school activities left us all bewildered.

Why had this war suddenly erupted, pitting humans against humans and monsters against monsters? It was far from normal, and there had to be a reason behind it all, right?

Speculations and rumors circulated, fueling our collective confusion. Some whispered about hidden resentments and longstanding grievances resurfacing, while others suspected external forces manipulating the situation.

Whatever the cause, it was evident that peace had been shattered, and the fragile coexistence between humans and monsters was now at stake.

Three years had passed, and the war between humans and monsters still raged on. I had found my place as a scout, a fitting role for someone like me—a soulless individual.

Currently, I found myself surveying the enemy territory, my gaze fixed on the tense surroundings.

"Jan, how's it looking over there?" another scout asked.

"Bad..."

"Are you kidding me? Damn it, we need to report this to the commander!" Just then, a sniper emerged out of nowhere, striking down my fellow scout with a single shot.

Ahh, I've been spotted... Is this how I'm going to meet my end...?

...Well, perhaps it's for the best. At least a useless person like me can finally find peace.

As I braced myself for the incoming sniper's bullet, time seemed to slow down. "Ahh, it's coming..." The memories of the girl's words flooded back to me—the girl with the striped shirt from the rooftop. "Don't give up, okay?"

I paused, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Was it possible to find strength even without a soul? Could I defy my own limitations?

At that moment, the world around me shifted, transforming into shades of black and white.

"I can see the sniper from here... 60 meters, huh..."

But why was I calculating the sniper's range? Why was I suddenly considering the odds? The realization hit me like a wave—I was on the brink of losing my sanity. Yet, amidst the darkness, a determination flickered within me.

Closing my eyes, I muttered to myself, "Fine... I guess I'll try... just this once."

With swift precision, I caught the bullet in my bare hands, shielded by a crimson barrier. As my eyes met the sniper's, a surge of purpose coursed through me.

"There you are..." I noticed monsters and humans heading straight toward me, drawn by the commotion.

An unfamiliar sensation welled up within me—a feeling I hadn't experienced in years. In that moment, a star appeared beside me, and I reached out to touch it. Its words resonated within me: "You are alone, yet you're still standing. In the midst of this chaos, you didn't give up."

*You are filled with DETERMINATION.

Taking a combat stance, I drew my red sword and brandished my red shield. "I feel determined!"