[POV: 3rd Person]
[Scene: Naka River]
[Track Change: Deltarune Ch. 1 'The Legend']
"Not a problem." Asriel said.
"First is Monster physiology, I am a made entirely of Magic with a physical form anchored on my SOUL. Using Magic, Monsters can perform a variety of things, most commonly is our basic [White Magic].
[White Magic] is similar to [Neutral Attribute Chakra], it is a general purpose energy that can be used to sustain ourselves, conjure bullet attacks or objects, and even powered our cities. [White Magic] varies in appearance by Monster, but in most cases it is a representation of ones own race, appearance, personality, and/or inner thoughts.
For instance, my parents' lineage are users of [Fire Magic], I am their son so I also have [Fire Magic]. However, my father was the ruler of the Underground and he had a personal shape to his [White Magic], a Trident, a symbol of Power and Authority.
Similarly, the Captain of our Royal Guard, Undyne, was a Monster who resembles a fish person. The natural shape of her Magic resembles a spear from a harpoon gun. Does that make sense?"
"Yes, it seems Magic is like reading a book on the person you see before you, who they are, what they do, and their personality. Your family uses [Fire Magic], but I heard you also conjure stars and a cannon. Where do they come from?" Fugaku asked.
"Ah yes, my [Star Blazing] and [Chaos Buster]. Well first I should again speak on Monster physiology, since Monsters are entirely made of Magic, we don't bleed. Instead when our body's take to much damage they break and turn to Dust.
However the SOUL is anchored to the body, if the body is gone the SOUL cannot continue to exist and shatters. This is the end of a Monster's life, turning directly to dust. The only exception is Monsters so strong they are called BOSS Monsters. Their SOULs are able to linger for a small time before shattering.
Similarly, Human SOULs also linger after death before shattering. Both Humans and Monsters can absorb the lingering SOULs of the other. When Humans absorb a Monster SOUL, they gain immense Magic and the Monster's unique Magic, but if they can't control it will go into Magic Shock, and at best fall into a coma, at worst they explode violently.
But when a Monster absorbs a Human SOUL, they gain the physical body of a Human, increasing their own strength and stamina, but also their SOULs unique attribute Magic. However, like Humans, instead of needing to control Magic, the Monster must instead suffer the Human's emotional turmoil.
A Monster's health is directly proportional to their will and HOPE to live. Absorbing the SOUL of a Human who was unstable, or even suicidal, can directly cause the death of the Monster. Before I died, my adopted Human sibling wanted me to do something I failed to accomplish. When I absorbed his SOUL as his last wish, and tried to complete his request, I failed.
I escaped with my life but their APATHY and unwillingness to live was too strong and crushed the last of my HOPE. I died and turned to dust holding their body in front of my parents."
Asriel had shed tears already, his left eye was closed and had tear marks while his right was open but visibly full of sorrow. Renjiro knew how hard it was for Asriel to talk about Chara, this was a big step for him. Asriel collected himself before continuing.
"Monsters not only gain physical strength when absorbing a Human SOUL, but also a boost to their Magic capacity, potency, a change in appearance, and new Magic abilities. Chara's SOUL was special, their Red SOUL trait was DETERMINATION. It was their SOUL ability that allowed me to escape and return home.
DETERMINATION is a unique trait, it is said that only ONE SOUL of DETERMINATION can exist at any time. For that and one other reason, it is considered the strongest trait."
"What reason is that?" Fugaku inquired.
"DETERMINATION is a very powerful motivator, so powerful that DETERMINATION can tell even Death to come another day if it means they can achieve their goal. A Human with enough DETERMINATION can survive FATAL injuries and still continue to live. Their bodies are reinforced beyond normal Human limits and they slowly recover from injuries on their own."
"If DETERMINATION is so strong, how did you get into such a perilous situation?" Fugaku asked.
"It's because of DETERMINATION's abilities in itself. DETERMINATION itself is a double edged trait. If one is Determined to do something they will do ANYTHING to accomplish that goal. However if they lose HOPE and become Apathetic their DETERMINATION weakens. I am sure you can see where I am going."
[Track Change: Deltarune Ch. 1 'Don't Forget']
"You said your sibling was suicidal... no..." Fugaku started before looking at Asriel in a horrified shock.
"Yes, they attempted suicide in secret over 38 times. I only know now after absorbing their SOUL. Their goal was to die, allow me to absorb their SOUL, and gather six more Human SOULs to break a barrier that sealed our kind underground for this exact reason.
Humans started a war in fear of a Monster obtaining too many Human SOULs and becoming a being of god-like power. From our shared memories, Chara hated Humans due to abuse and neglect from their parents, peers, and strangers. They thought Monsters deserved a future on the surface again.
To break the barrier the power of seven Human SOULs are required, the same amount as the Human wizards who sealed us. However to just PASS the barrier, only a single Human SOUL was needed.
However, because of their DETERMINATION, they couldn't disconnect their DETERMINATION to die from their DETERMINATION that kept them alive. Ironic isn't it, being determined to die yet physically incapable. Later they lost enough DETERMINATION from APATHY that they could finally pass on.
When I absorbed their SOUL, I barely felt anything. Normally I would have to deal with their unstable emotions, however there was so much APATHY that I only felt their sorrows.
When I failed to kill even a single Human, either due to my own cowardice or apprehension to harm others, I returned covered in wounds from the Humans holding Chara's body. The last of their DETERMINATION and HOPE faded, and I fell down before turning to dust in our garden before our parents eyes."
At this point, both Asriel and Fugaku had sat under a tree near the dock. Asriel was sobbing with his knees up, arms resting on them, and head down. Fugaku sitting nearby was greatly saddened even if he didn't show it outwardly. He placed his hand on Asriel's shoulder, trying to comfort the goat child that was 18cm (7in) taller than him.
After ten minutes Asriel calmed down, not only was his green left eye puffy, but his right also had tear marks. Renjiro had also been crying for his good friend. Renjiro thanked Fugaku for comforting Asriel. Fugaku replied that he didn't do much. Renjiro told him that it was what he needed most.
After collecting himself Asriel continued from earlier.
[Track Change: Deltarune Ch. 1 'Scarlet Forest']
"Now that we spoke about DETERMINATION, I can say that Renjiro has some, hence our right eye being Red, but it isn't enough to be a full trait. It is only enough to boost our Magic capacity and self-healing slightly.
I learned some [Green Magic] from my Mom, it has Healing and Defensive properties.
Besides that, is my Individual [White Magic] and Renjiro's SOUL Magic from his traits. Renjiro is currently Dual-Traited, with both INTEGRITY and PERSEVERANCE. You saw yesterday from our [FIGHT] with Elder Danzo that when Renjiro uses [Blue Magic] he can manipulate a target's personal gravitational force.
He increased the force of gravity Elder Danzo is subjected to by five times. He likely weighs around 50kg (110lbs) so he would have suddenly felt an extra 200kg (440kg) pressing on him all at once. That's why he couldn't dodge much afterwards.
If Renjiro wanted to, he could have made Elder Danzo have a fifth his normal gravity (Danzo would have weighed 10kg (22lbs) and make him fly into the walls, ceiling or floor by changing the direction of his personal gravity."
"Oh how I wish I could've seen that." Fugaku said grinning.
"Besides that we haven't tested Renjiro's [Purple Magic] but he has a theory on what it does." Asriel said.
"Yeah, I have an idea." Renjiro confirmed.
"It likely has the properties of altering movement patterns using translation and vectors. If I were to use it I would guess the target could only move along a single axis at once. Think of it like this, Fugaku, when an enemy throws a kunai with an explosive tag attached, how do you dodge?" Renjiro asked.
"If it is aimed in front of me, I would jump backwards, otherwise I would jump to the sides." He said simply.
"Now what if I told you that both those options are impossible when someone uses [Purple Magic]?"
"What do you mean?" Fugaku asked.
"Well when you jump to the sides the enemy can translate the kunai laterally to stay directly in front of you, making dodging impossible. The kunai is still thrown forward, it just suddenly slides laterally on the X-axis and is aligned with you as the target once more.
Under [Purple Magic] the opponent can repeatedly slide projectiles to follow you. You would have your movement severely restricted by a sliding wall of iron. Do you understand now?"
Hearing Renjiro, Fugaku started sweating before speaking,
"That's not just powerful, that's a death sentence for shinobi. Shinobi rely on their movement ability to dodge, attack, and retreat. The ability to lock movement like that would make retreat impossible. Combined with the Sharingan, Byakugan, or just insane reflexes like Lord Minato, I don't even want to think of the possibility!"
(A/N): In a few chapters I will post a big info dump of what are basically character sheets and references to things I add like Ninjutsu Fusion Jutsus and Magic Abilities with descriptions. Some readers might be interested in Asriel's [CHECK] status, as I haven't shown it yet. That will be uploaded too.