[POV: 3rd Person]
[Scene: The Pure Lands]
[Track Change: Undertale 'Premonition']
Asriel and Anthony paused, both thinking the same thing,
'This man is floating on nothing, with orbs defying gravity, he probably can do what he said, so why does he want to know?'
However both already knew their answer, Anthony turned to Asriel and said,
"Same time?"
"Same time." Asriel replied.
"We have our answers." Anthony said.
"Very well, please give me your thoughts." Hagoromo requested.
"Our loved ones" they replied simultaneously.
Hagoromo, internally smiling, asked "And why do you feel that way?"
Anthony started by recounting where he was going and why on the day of his death. This was both Asriel and Hagoromo's first time hearing his story, and Asriel was nearly about to burst with questions about his world. However, he kept quiet, knowing they had all the time in the world to talk afterwards, in the Pure Land. Anthony finished by saying, "I would trade anything to have friends like that again, and I feel that if you asked them the same question, to revive a loved one or themselves, they would choose the loved one, if both were alive when you asked them, they would both ask for me back, that's why I feel like I would rather them have a second chance before me, after all, I died wishing to give them my blessings, a second chance after death seems like a damn good one."
Hagoromo was very pleased with Anthony, despite Anthony not having Chakra for Hagoromo to monitor, he knew Anthony had genuine INTEGRITY, and that was what Hagoromo liked about Anthony. On Asriel's side, Asriel was feeling a bit down, Hagoromo asked what was weighing on him so much.
"I just feel like my explanation is not as mature as Anthony's. It makes me feel a bit selfish, wanting my loved one to be happy in a world they are no longer happy in. Chara poisoned themselves, killed themselves, because they thought the world would be better if their family could live on the surface. All I wanted, what my parents wanted, what their friends wanted, was more time with both of us together, and due to our immaturity, we caused so much pain, so much loss, so much APATHY. Our decisions hurt more than just our family; they caused the entire underground to lose HOPE. But now thinking about it, even if I could revive Chara, nothing would change, Chara would still be full of APATHY, even more so after realizing that I am gone and they aren't. They would blame themselves and become unstable, I don't wish that on them, so I can only give the blessing to my parents, who had to suffer for their children's immaturity." Asriel said softly with a tightness in his throat.
Hagoromo was impressed, Asriel was able to not only admit to mistakes but also had great critical thinking and reasoning, able to identify the glaring issue of reviving someone who did not wish to live, no matter what good intentions he had. Anthony was smiling, it was a bitter smile, he knew Asriel would want Chara back more than anything, but seeing him give up that opportunity, he knew Asriel would understand what he said next,
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions." Anthony said.
"Hoh~, what a strange saying, can you elaborate?" Hagoromo asked.
"Sure, it means that the consequences of one's actions can be awful or even tragic, instead of the good intentions that lead one to do those actions. There is a second half to the saying, but that is mostly unsaid because the first is the most used or applicable. 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions, while the road to heaven is paved with good actions.' The whole saying means that in addition to good intentions, one must act on those intentions in a positive way to ensure you don't pave your way into hell. If you must do something drastic for the good of all, make sure your actions themselves are also for the good of all, or else after completing your objective, there will be no-one to share in the good you thought to have made, as you will be surrounded with swords pointed at your neck." Anthony finished speaking.