Success would be like taking a breath of fresh air, quite literally in this situation. With the barrier broken, the Surface awaited the one human child and the numerous mass of monsters behind them.

How they longed to see the sun again. To feel the fresh spring breeze and admire the beautiful stars that appear night after night.

At last, hope had arrived.

Frisk glanced back, and saw that all of their friends were waiting. Waiting for them to take that first step towards their new future.

The feeling of exhilaration was nearly enough to overcome their usual neutral, calm composure, only evident by their trembling hands. After surviving the doings of a murderous flower and helping the monsters, they had finally reached the end of their journey.

All it would take was one step through the purple archway.

"It's finally the end, isn't it?"

Chara's voice was almost a whisper, as if they could not believe it themselves.

Wordlessly, Frisk nodded. It was time to put everything behind, even if it meant letting go of their best friend. There was a bittersweet ache in their heart as they smiled.

"Well... I'll... see you around."

Chara disappeared from view. It was like a weight being taken off Frisk's shoulders, but it was not completely gone yet. After all, they wanted to see the Surface before vanishing.

Taking a deep breath, Frisk looked ahead with determination and stepped through the door.

The sight of the sun making its descend into the horizon was more majestic than they had ever imagined. It made them realise that they had never stopped to enjoy what the humans took for granted, so they joined their friends in the gazing of the sunset.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

The different hue of red spread across the darkening sky, stretching towards unknown limits, some of which landing onto the clouds.

Frisk had to agree. It was beautiful.

Eventually, all of their friends left, except for Toriel, who turned to them. "It seems that everyone is quite eager to set off."

There was a pause. "So, what will you do now?"

"I'll go home," Frisk told her, and she understood immediately.

"I understand," Toriel said, bending down to embrace the child in a hug. "Go now, Frisk. I'll see you soon."

With that, she took her leave. Glancing at the sunset one last time, Frisk turned to leave as well.

However, as they tried to move forward, their legs were rooted to the ground. Their blood ran cold as the scene of the Surface dissolved into a screen of black.

What... what is happening?

For a moment, there was nothing but pitch black darkness. The surge of panic that manifested during that moment came in like relentless waves, hitting Frisk harder than the next.

Just as they were about to have a panic attack, the familar buttons popped up, though "Reset" was replaced with "True Reset".

Calm down, Frisk, they thought to themselves. Maybe if I go with continue, everything would go the way it should be. Then, I can go home and this game will end. Right...?

Quickly selecting the "Continue" option, they felt themselves being transported out of the dark area. Opening their eyes, the child found themselves in a grey corridor.

It was the same corridor where Frisk last saved. Dread settled in their stomach as they slowly peaked out from the corner of the doorway.

Their friends were standing there, as if what had happened a moments ago never happened.

No... this can't be happening...

Frisk backed up, denial written all over their face.

I-it's just an error of some kind. If I do what I did again, I can progress.

That was what they thought. No matter what they did, they never made it past the sunset area.

Finally, after the tenth try, Frisk gave up. The realisation that they would never return to their real home, that they would never end this game, sent them into despair.

What should I do?

Tears fell from their eyes as they stared at the two buttons in front, hovering in an almost mocking fashion.

What can I do?

Frisk could scarcely hear Chara's voice, their mind in a whirl of emotions.

Amidst that cloud of confusion and helplessness, one thing was clear. There was one thing they could do.

Frisk could reset... and that was what they did.

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Just to add on, even if Frisk stays in the "black screen", the world would eventually force them to continue.