The metallic clank of Frisk's boots echoed as she and Sans walked deeper into Hotland. Overhead, vents let out rhythmic bursts of steam. The further in they went, the more industrial the surroundings became—pipes hissing, conveyor belts groaning under unseen weight, and screens flickering on the walls with distorted static.
Frisk paused in front of another camera mounted high on a wall. She frowned. "So… Alphys watches everything through these?"
Sans didn't look at the camera. "Probably. Depends on how much anime she's caught up on today."
Frisk tilted her head. "You said she's the Royal Scientist?"
"Yep. Likes gadgets. Nervous around strangers. Big fan of human stuff, though," Sans replied, hands in his hoodie pockets. "You'll probably meet her soon. Or she'll meet you from a distance. She's good at that."
Frisk didn't respond. The idea of being monitored—judged silently—made her stomach twist. She turned away from the camera and faced another puzzle. This one had laser fields shifting back and forth in a set pattern.
She studied them carefully, then stepped forward.
Mistimed.
She yelped as a warning buzz sounded and the field flashed red. Not enough to harm her—just a sting and a sharp jolt to her pride. Gritting her teeth, she reset her stance and tried again. This time, she passed cleanly.
Sans was waiting on the other side, leaning against the wall. "Not bad. Not great either. But hey, first time through."
She glanced at him, curious. "How do you always end up ahead of me?"
"Shortcuts," he said simply. "Skeleton perks."
She didn't question it further.
As they moved on, the corridors began to branch. Some led to more puzzles. Others looked like maintenance shafts or dead ends.
She chose the path with conveyor belts, jumping between moving platforms and ducking under low-hanging pipes. Her foot slipped once, but she caught herself. It was harder than it looked, but she adjusted quickly. Always learning.
Sans didn't comment. He just watched. Quietly.
When she reached the top of the belt's incline, she spotted a small lab-like structure at the end of the hall. The doors were shut, but light leaked out from the edges.
"Is that where she is?" Frisk asked.
Sans looked ahead. "Could be."
"Are you coming?"
"Nah. Think I'll hang back," he said. "Got some… recalibrating to do."
She narrowed her eyes, suspicious. "You sure?"
"Kid, if I was following you, you'd never know," he said with a smirk, turning. "Just remember to knock before entering. Or don't. Depends on how dramatic you wanna be."
Before she could ask anything else, he vanished down a side hall.
Frisk stared after him, puzzled. Then turned back toward the lab door.
She took a breath. Raised her hand.
And knocked.