Deltarune Theory Time [Chapter 1-5]:
Kris's Lost Dreams: Visions of Glass and the Accursed Hand
Ever since Shadow Crystals have been a thing in Deltarune, one of the biggest mysteries surrounding them are the visions Kris can see through their lenses, whether it's in the Dark World or the Light World. For example, using one in Chapter 2 with Susie around triggers this description shown below:
While as of Chapter 5 there's no official answer for this phenomenon, the fact there's implied uncertainty as for whether there will be more available in the future or not does tell me that we should be able to reach an answer of sorts based on the current information available. Mostly because it is highly likely this is the most evidence we'll ever get.
Could more context be provided in the future once the missing future Chapters are out? Hopefully. But for now, I make the argument we can grasp a good idea for what's really going on with these mysterious visions Kris can see.
First things first though:
1. What IS a Shadow Crystal/Glass?
In spite of these objects being obtainable after defeating each Chapter's Shadow Crystal Holder, and Seam promising something "interesting" can be crafted with 5 of them, there hasn't been an explicit answer for what they are up until Chapter 5, and only if you've obtained 4 by then already:
This explanation explains in one fell swoop why Kris's perception of things changes when looking through them:
It's allowing them to perceive reality through the lenses of lost dreams.
It gives Kris a peek into a world where their own, UNFULFILLED dreams are a reality.
Of course, this by itself raises the following question: What even is Kris's lost dream? And how does this reality even look like in a world where their dream did become true?
To answer both, we can draw some useful information from the visions provided to elaborate a general idea - in broad strokes, that is - of what they are:
2. What if Kris's Dream had come true...?
Well, if the Shadow Crystals are indeed empowered by dreams unfulfilled, then we can assume we will get visions of a reality in which Kris's dream did happen.
* A. Kris and Noelle didn't grow apart.
Using a glass in Noelle's House (Chapter 4).
Using a Shadow Crystal at the very start of the Flower Kingdom.
Kris and Noelle's relationship is very fascinating. Both of them are friends, and have known each other since kids. And yet, it doesn't appear to be what it once was, compared to the closeness shown through these visions (someone did an insane job detailing what's going on between Kris and Noelle for shipping purposes, but it does a good job explaining what's happening between both).
...Their shared past is something Kris would rather avoid reminiscing altogether.
* B. Susie didn't become friends with Kris?
There's not much in these visions that could describe what Susie expresses towards Kris as hate, per se, but it doesn't paint the idea that her and Kris are on the best terms either, compared to the timeline in which Deltarune's plot happens. Is it rage? Jealously? Malice?
What's interesting about these visions is that all these are from Kris's own point of view. As a result, our understanding of them is incidentally limited to Kris's own perception of these. For once, Kris is a reliable audience surrogate here.
At the very least, the ambiguity of the person Toriel holds imply Kris doesn't recognize them enough to say who it is (or perhaps, it should be more accurate to say this someone doesn't exist in Deltarune's timeline...?)
And finally, the part everyone has been waiting for:
This line alone kickstarted the well-known fan theory that Kris will lose their hand at some point in the story. As of Chapter 5 this hasn't quite happened, but oh man, the game does love to remind you of this just to keep fueling the fire.
The point I'm trying to reach though, is that, in this reality-
This is massive, because it implies that the trade-off, from Kris's own point of view, as far their lost dream is concerned.
And it's likely because this detail is the divergence point of everything. The reason the story of Deltarune didn't happen in the reality seen through glass.
Multiple mentions in Deltarune are made that Kris can spend a lot of time washing their hands. Trying to clean up something that never, ever, goes away. The Forgotten Man's Room from Chapter 4, and the message from the entity I call "The Caller" (as of Chapter 5 their identity's still unknown) from non-Weird routes does propose what this something could be.
If I had to make a guess, it's Guilt.
Chances are, Kris made a choice in the past that they have come to regret. A choice in which the alternative was losing their hand.
For one reason or another (selfishness? fear? idk), Kris didn't let their hand go, but in the long run, it led to Kris's dream being lost. And now, filled by regret, they atone. They made a promise, and have allied themselves with the Knight, helping them accomplish... whatever their endgame really is.
...This doesn't mean Kris won't lose their hand in the end, mind you. I'm just saying that, if it happens, it's likely meant to carry a ton more symbolic significance that just "FRIEND was feeling funny and chomped it right out of their arm".
With all this being said though-
4. The more things change...
...The more they stay the same.
Stuff involving the prophecy itself remains unchanged even within lens filled with "what could've been" energy. Even if Kris' role in the whole mess could've been changed, even if Noelle could've become the 2nd hero instead of Susie, nothing really changes in the end.
The prophecy itself, surpasses the power of Lost Dreams.
So yeah. That's kind of the gist of it really.
There's some stuff I didn't cover before because it's not relevant to the point being made:
1. Shadow Crystal's visions can't show the Dark World:
Is the power of Lost Dreams unable to cut through Fantasy�
2. Unused Chapter 3 Glass vision:
Does the Knight get a different power-set in this "what-if" world? Is their true identity even consistent between realities?
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