That Is When I Realized
This Power... This Power Of The Will
This Power Of Determination...
Is This Not Something All Lightners Possess...?
If One Was Simply
Determined Enough
Could Not Anyone Make A Dark Fountain?
Determination, also known as Will, is a power possessed by Lightners. By pouring their determination into a blade and striking the ground with it, once can open a Dark Fountain, which in turn, gives birth to a Dark World.
Overview
Determination is the "Power of Will" that exists in the worlds of Deltarune and Undertale. Despite both games sharing the same concept, it's unknown if they are analogous to each other, as monsters in Undertale are unable to hold large amounts of determination, while monsters in Deltarune seem to have no issue with it. Determination is the power that is used to create a Dark World, and the Dark World created depends upon the personality of the Lightner that created it.
Main Story
Determination has been present in the story since the beginning, though it remained unnamed.
Chapter 2
Determination is first mentioned in Chapter 2, when Queen explains how the Knight created her Dark World. Through this explanation, it is implied that all Dark Fountains, including Castle Town and Card Kingdom, were formed via determination. Queen plans to use Noelle and her determination to expand Cyber World beyond the confines of the the Library.
Later, after a brief conversation about how wonderful the Dark World is, Berdly decides to open another Fountain in Cyber World, only to be stopped by Ralsei who explains that opening too many Dark Fountains will cause the Roaring, an apocalypse of darkness that will give rise to the Titans. It will see the Darkners turned to stone, and the Lightners left to fend for themselves. This persuades everyone to not open another Fountain.
Later on, when having a sleepover with Susie, while everyone is asleep, Kris opens up a Dark Fountain in the middle of their living room.
Chapter 4
After sealing the first Fountain opened by the Knight in the Church, Kris and Susie learn that there is another in the main congregation room. After realizing that they do not know the code to the lock on the door, Susie decides to go back to the Dark World to ask the Old Man. Borrowing Kris' knife, she channels her determination into it and strikes the ground, opening a Dark Fountain, though the Dark World she creates is very different from the Knight's.
Chapter 5
In a recent tweet from Toby Fox, he released a small sample of the translation sheet that showed dialogue from Seam in Chapter 5, where he reveals the true nature of Shadow Crystals. According to the leaked dialogue, it is said that they contain a "certain power." Seam intially refers to this as "will," but decides that isn't the right word, insinuating that Shadow Crystals are made of pure determination.[1]
Weird Route
In the Weird Route, determination also serves the same purpose in opening Dark Fountains.
Trivia
- Determination appears to have different properties in the world of Deltarune than it does in Undertale, in that monsters seem to possess just as much as humans.
- In Undertale, monsters possess determination, but not as much as a human. If a monster possesses too much determination, their bodies eventually begin to break down and melt. This does not appear to be the case for monsters in Deltarune. Whether this is because Deltarune is different, or because monsters are different is unknown.
- The Knight, due to appearing to be made of the same substance as the Shadow Crystals, could possibly be made of determination. Due to appearing to be similar to the Knight, FRIEND may also be made of determination. Given the unusual appearance of both FRIEND and the Knight's forms, it's possible that they are designed to be Deltarune's counterparts to Undertale's Amalgamates.
References