"Ready Amos?"
"Ready! Launch me up, Frisk!"
"Got it! Luftstart!"
Frisk shouted as they launched Amos up in the air with Anemo magic as she flew so high that many who were watching were questioning if a more powerful spell would land her in Celestia. But the next moment clearly wouldn't be the case.
Up to where Amos is at. Three floating creatures with little wings on top, Anemo slimes. These creatures have Anemo abilities, obviously floating in the air, floating down should it decide to, and to dump into people if they don't get away in time. But these slimes are simply floating in the air, inflated, a single attack, weak or strong, can pop them to death.
That is what Amos is planning on, the moment she is in range, she summons her bow, thanks to the Anemo gem that appeared last night, and prepares three arrows. She then shot all three arrows at the slimes, all three successfully hitting them as each of them burst like a popped balloon.
Then as if time had time, she immediately looked down to the ground and prepared to land as she dove head down. Her immediate reaction caused everyone still watching to cry out, afraid of how she would land. Luckily for her, Frisk is already prepared as they shout their second spell.
"Luftnetz!"
A wide net made out of wind appeared as Amos was falling down hard, but the net caught her as she bounced back up, now at the same height that Frisk used. She then landed on the ground with not much mass, and she is alright.
Amos was immediately swarmed by everyone who was asking if she was alright, and how the training went. That's right, this whole thing was all for Amos to do more training. To see how effortlessly you can attack while being on air. Amos nailed it perfectly.
"I'll say, Amos, just this early morning and with the sudden herd of Anemo slimes, you are quite the expert in hitting enemies. And that those slimes were the last ones."
Frisk thought that the past few hours that Amos wanted to train alone until she felt like showing off in the afternoon. Still, they did wonder why so many Anemo slimes had just appeared and wondered if this meant something. Their first thought was that these slimes were spies sent by Decarabian as his abilities were based on storm and wind.
But after sensing with their own Elemental Sight, as it was an ability that could sense other elemental traces left behind. It was also thanks to the blessing they received that it improved massively as Frisk couldn't sense any divine blessing or anything related to Decarabian, just turquoise winds around the slimes.
They even had Barbatos do his own Elemental Sight to ensure if they hadn't missed anything, but to their relief, Barbatos hadn't sensed anything wrong or different about the slimes. Still, unless they found some clues, the case hit a dead end.
"Oh so no more air battle training?"
"Unless we have another swarm of Anemo slimes, then no, unless you wish to have Barbatos conquer up a few Anemo orbs as targets."
"I'll take the latter, could you help me Lord Barbatos?"
Amos jokingly called Barbatos, as everyone else was practically his followers at this point. Which absolutely made Barbatos headbutt Amos as he fully believes the friendship between her and Chara got to the point where she began teasing like Chara had done to him. But Barbatos then expresses like he's sighing as he agrees to help Amos train further.
So, once again, their training continues with Frisk lifting Amos back to the air while Barbatos conquers Anemo orbs for Amos to hit. Once this was happening Chara had just finished building the home for them and Frisk, within the northern part of Starfell Valley.
It was away from Cider Lake as well as the construction of new Mondstadt, it was something both Frisk and Chara wanted, to live in the mountains, as it was something both were used to, even if Frisk had little experience living inside a mountain. But for Chara, they wanted to live in a similar area close to their old home.
And much to Frisk's amusement, Chara informed them that their new home, in the area of the mountain, will be called Newer Home. Which made Frisk laugh as Chara inherited Asgore's lack of name choice for places. Still, it was perfect, because the home resembles Chara's home when they were adopted by the Dreemurrs.
"Wow, it looks even more wonderful than the blueprint you've shown me Chara."
Venerare commented on the home that Chara has been building for the last week, the week after the date between Ventus and Amos. The fact that Venerare thought they had been building without stopping at least once.
It made her glad that yesterday, Chara was close to completing it, as she was able to help finish it up to this moment. They even thanked her when she volunteered to help. Now she has the chance to see the whole place.
An entrance with stairs to the regular basement, not a hallway that leads to Snowdin. A living room with a fireplace and needs furniture, with a kitchen in the next room which needs its kitchen things. Then a hallway that leads to three rooms, the first door is Chara's room, the second door is Frisk's room, and the last room is the guest room.
To Chara, it was like they never left; all that was missing was the golden flowers, the books their mother had read, furniture, and most of all the smell of Butterscotch Pie.
"Thanks for helping me finish my home, Venerare. Frisk could have helped but they were busy helping Amos with her training."
"It's no problem at all, Chara. Besides, your home is quite unique from any home I've ever seen. The fact that you told me this was similar to your childhood home."
"It is because it is. It was exactly the same when Frisk and I were adopted by the Dreemurrs."
"Hmm… I believe it's missing its Mondstadt style, but that is my suggestion."
"I could add an Anemo symbol or maybe a similar style to that city. Perhaps one day."
Chara spoke to Venerare as they walked around the home. The two spoke about suggestions and ideas of what to put in the home. But so far it was only thoughts that could be true someday.
It felt like hours, at least until Venerare asked Chara about something that was on her mind for a while.
"Hey, Chara. I couldn't help but notice you have some kind of strange energy around you. I've checked my Elemental Sight on you as I can see the Anemo and Cyro energy on you, but there is this third energy that seems gray and different. As if it is not any of the seven elements."
Chara felt a sweatdrop threatening to come down from their head. The fact that they had completely forgotten about having a blessing can enhance the Elemental Sight for Venerare as she can see different blessings from any individual.
How were they supposed to say they got time magic from someone more than just a god, but a Shade? Was Chara even allowed to say Istaroth's name, or speak of that she came from Celestia?
Chara even wished that they could speak to Istaroth again… Wait.
"(Didn't Frisk say I can just communicate with Istaroth by just saying her name, right? Or maybe just act like I'm speaking to her. Then again, Frisk did say she's nearly impossible to reach due to her job, whatever it is a Shade can do. Well it's worth a shot…) Istaroth."
They spoke the name of the Shade of Time as if everything had suddenly stopped moving, even the wind felt like they were getting slower and slower. Veneare was blinking at what Chara had said. Or in her case, she was suspicious of the name that came out of her teacher's mouth.
But before she could say anything else, she suddenly felt someone was watching as if it was nearby or was in front of her, she couldn't tell, and… Venerare had to rub her eyes as she noticed a beautiful woman standing next to Chara. She immediately swore that she was not there a second ago.
"Huh, I was expecting Frisk to speak with me thanks to our previous conversation, but time obviously wanted me to speak with you this time. Either way, it's nice to see you again Chara. It seems like Frisk, you're also doing well in your time in Mondstadt."
"Istaroth… Uh, pardon me for saying this, but is that your actual appearance?"
Chara can easily remember how Istaroth looked when they first met, but right now, she was completely different, with her voice sounding so mature and… Yeah. She still gives out that powerful aura, and they can feel her blessing strongly reacting. They also hope they hadn't insulted her by saying what they just asked.
Thankfully for them, Istaroth giggled, obviously knowing that the question would be asked. But she nodded her head as she looked at Chara.
"Well, you did hear me speak like a child before, and I was not who you were seeing, but I am still Istaroth. The God of Moments."
Venerare gasped before quickly bowing to a god, as it was her very first time being so close to an actual god.
"Miss Istaroth, it is an honor to meet you! To have a god gracefully appear before us! My name is Venerare Lawrence!"
Venerare spoke with pure respect, unlike anyone who is from Mondstadt, she has no reason to be afraid of a god. Which immediately made her wonder how everyone would react, as nearly everyone is from Mondstadt and has a fear of Decarabian.
"Please call me Istaroth, Miss Lawrence."
Istaroth spoke gently as if she already knew who Venerare was. Chara notices an expression on Istaroth's face, a small sad smile that would blend in with the smile she is showing. It made them wonder if something was going to happen to Venerare as Istaroth knew them before they said anything.
But they also knew if they asked, then she would avoid the question in some ways as she is clearly more powerful than they are. She has more years of experience in combat than they have in their life. But they were curious about something.
"Istaroth, what brings you here? I thought Frisk told me you were too busy to even communicate with them."
Istaroth looked at Chara before commenting.
"Chara, you are aware that you're a male, correct?"
Istaroth's words made Venerare think of the times both Frisk and Chara called each other they/them. She wonders why both of them called each other when it is obvious that they're boys.
"Well… It's something I've gotten used to, it's the same for Frisk as well. We normally don't tell our gender as some people just assume we are non-binary. Mainly, the fact that they couldn't decide if we were male or female."
"...Uh, what's non-binary?"
Venerare asks not realizing how asking that question sounds. Chara immediately went silent as they weren't even sure if they should explain it, as it didn't sound like it had been known. But sooner or later, someone will be born either non-binary or, in some cases, transgender, or any related gender topics.
"...If you wish, I can explain, it is really a sensitive topic even for humans to explain, especially if you haven't heard what it truly means, or if you're trusting the right person to tell you this."
Istaroth offers to talk about it, but privately as she can see how conflicted it makes Chara feel. Not in a bad way, it was just something that even they have trouble talking about without being accused of insulting those who wish to be who they are.
Venerare hesitantly agreed, seeing the expression Chara had on their face as Istaroth whispered information to her ear. Moments passed as her eyes widened with each information she heard. She even couldn't help but glance at Chara as she wasn't sure what to even say.
Once it was finished, Venerare just didn't know what to do or say without trying to sound rude or mean. Istaroth wanted to speak up as she could sense the tension between the two.
"My apologies, I had strayed off the main topic of your question, Chara. If you wish, I can explain why I am here in the first place."
Chara just nodded, as Istaroth spoke another apology as she explained.
"The reason why I am here is that I've seen the state Mondstadt has become because of Boreas and Decarabian. And I have noticed you all gathering up Decarabian's former followers to your side, even his lover. But he'll eventually notice his lover's disappearance, and soon his followers, even if it is small, will notice."
That got Chara and Venerare on alert, they have considered the possibility of the God of Storms noticing Amos is missing, but to think he also noticed some of his followers are missing too. It makes Chara wonder just how long they have until Decarabian is aware of all of this and…
Now that they thought about it, had Decarabian ever left the city? Before they could ask more, Istaroth offered a gentle wave.
"You both don't need to worry, I can distract Decarabian as long as I can, at least until you're all ready to overthrow him."
"Really? We can count on you for that! Oh! You said you're the God of Moments, right? Did you happen to know what happened to the Imunlaukr Clan? We assume they are the people you blessed, although I doubt the clan is connected to you."
"Well, you're correct, the Imunlaukr Clan doesn't have my blessing as I doubt the clan wants my blessing. And the fact that their people see the gods as a means for us to have entertainment through fighting. The reason why Frisk couldn't find them is because they were already outside the city, perhaps even before Barbatos found the Gunnhildr Clan."
"Oh! So that is why no one from the city has found or seen them. But, where exactly are they, with their help it would make the rebellion more effective against Decarabian."
Venerare asks, hoping Istaroth knows where the missing clan is. Istaroth simply smiles as she points in a direction, which seems like she is pointing to where Liyue is.
"The clan is currently on their way back to their hidden base to recover from their battle in Liyue with one of the gods that are still trying to conquer the lands. I will say Liyue has lots of gods fighting that makes Mondstadt's war feel small."
Chara simply sighs as they knew it was true, Scharlach did inform them and everyone else of his time in Liyue. Sure, it might sound hard to believe as it came from one person, but had it not been the fact of a recent earthquake and previous ones from before in the neighboring nation.
You could even see the sights of someone glowing in the air, summoning giant spears that came down in different places as the earthquakes spread as far as even Cider Lake. You would normally feel that within two days, a week, or rarely a month. That just proves how many gods have died in Liyue.
Speaking of Liyue, Chara did hear from Scharlach of a powerful god that resides there.
"You're right about. That nation has that powerful god… What was his name… Morax? The Warrior God?"
"Yes, Morax, the God of Contracts, now the Geo Archon as he obtains his new title. I've heard it was because he protected his people the longest, as well as helping refugees find shelter from the war."
Istaroth spoke as it made Chara do a double-take, the god they heard about is now the Geo Archon!
"Really? But isn't he still dealing with those other gods wanting to take over his land? At least from what I've heard."
"Yes, but because he is more powerful than those other gods it would make sense that Celestia would declare him to be fit for the Archon title."
"(You mean you, the other Shades, and the Heavenly Principles?)"
Istaroth seemed to know what Chara was thinking as she gave them a slight glare. It didn't look much, but for Chara, it was enough for them to stop thinking about what they thought of and change the topic.
"So, how many nations have acquired their Archons?"
"Six, your nation is the last nation to have yet to have their god ascend to Archon. This is why I am here to help, not to just give you all a boost of confidence, but to end this gruesome war once and for all."
Isratoth spoke with pure seriousness, vanishing all the gentleness she had. This had sent shivers down both Chara and Venerare's spines. But that quickly went away as they realized what she had said as the two looked at each other.
It felt like a moment but then the two gave each other a determined nod as they both looked back to Istaroth.
"If you wish, we can take you back to everyone to discuss what to do next. I'm sure Frisk will be happy to see you again."
Chara offers Istaroth an invitation to join them to see the constructive city. Istaroth immediately changed her expression as she accepted the invitation.
"Then please take me to your home. I am curious to see the rebellion you all are building up, and to see what I can assist with."
"Even when you're a god?"
"Sometimes even a god would ask if they can be of help."
Chara just smiles as the three of them begin to go back to Cider Lake, as Istaroth asks about Chara's home, and they explain it to her. Istaroth saw the nostalgic smile on Chara's face when they spoke of their home in their world.
She could only smile as she remembered the memories of Chara being happy with being with the family that happily adopted them. There was still confusion within her that wondered why Chara died. The memories of what should have explained why were hidden, she wondered if it really was an illness that she saw in Frisk's memories.
Perhaps she'll get her answer from them or when they speak with the Heavenly Principles. She hoped, she just hoped it wasn't bad.