And just like that, his mother crumbles away as he holds onto her. Her warmth flickering out into nothingness, and the rest of her drops through his fingers like sand.

"No..."

The words come out choked, disbelieving. Tears form at the corner of his eyes, swelling up and dripping down his face in thick waves. Even if his heart knows that she's gone, his mind is still racing.

"No no no no, mom, you can't-"

He paws at the dust uselessly, trying to (what? Put her back together?) pull it closer. When he finally turns his head to Sans, the expression he wears is something lost and broken.

"Sans, you - you haven't used any of your magic yet! Use it right now! Hurry, or she's gonna..."

Even as he begs, he knows it's far too late.