"Hey Chara, is it just me… Or does the blizzard seem to be less dangerous than yesterday?"
"Now that you mention it, Frisk… It kinda does. But then again, how are we supposed to tell the difference between blizzards?"
"Well, we have been here for a week. We could get Venerare to check as she has been out there way longer than any of us. Well, maybe Barbatos, too."
Frisk and Chara look as if what they said was true. The blizzard does look different today, and they sure know they're not experts at telling the difference. Chara decided to find Venerare to check it out while Frisk continued to watch.
"Hey Frisk, what are you doing?"
Ventus, with Barbatos floating next to him, approaches Frisk as they watch with them. He had just let Chara know where they could find Venerare, which they thanked him for while greeting Barbatos.
"Just focusing on the blizzard. Do you think it's different than usual?"
"It kinda does. But that is just a rare day for some people."
Frisk hummed as they recalled something from the day they first met. An idea pops up in Frisk's mind.
"Hmm… You told us about Boreas the Wolf of the North, right?"
"Yes, why do you ask something that I said a week ago?"
"Don't freak out… But, do you think that it's possible that we can meet Boreas? And by we, I mean me and Chara."
There was only silence once Frisk got his question out. Ventus looked at Frisk as if they grew a second head. Barbatos just stood there in silence, unsure what to do or act.
"Frisk, do you realize what you're saying? What exactly do you wish to accomplish by meeting with a god that is the Wolf of the North? Talk to him?"
"...Yes."
"...You're kidding! Please tell me you're joking, Frisk, do you think—!"
"I have battled with a god before without fighting. He only used a fraction of his powers and could have killed me had he not wanted to see what my determination could do."
Sure, Frisk knew because Asriel, who still had the mindset of Flowey at the time during the battle at the barrier, was too arrogant to think that he could beat them. But he still became a god with the equal power of seven SOULs, even if the final one was from every monster of the underground. They couldn't do a single damage to him, but they were able to stay alive by talking and dodging attacks while having their determination, which brought them back from death after death.
"And you're saying that you can somewhat talk to Boreas without getting killed!?"
"Well the god I've fought called himself the God of Hyperdeath."
Ventus once again stares at Frisk, as if he had met someone who thinks they can easily walk besides death itself. Even though he can't look Frisk in the eyes, he can tell just what they are thinking. He could only sigh in frustration, knowing that he couldn't change their minds as he spoke.
"From what I was able to hear from Gunnhildr's people, Boreas would sometimes attack the storm barrier in hopes of reaching Decarabian. For them, it felt like the ground shook with each impact. So maybe today's snow might be warning us that Boreas might attack the barrier again. But I never kept track of his movements so I'm not sure myself. This whole week was the first that we ever went outside."
"So it might be a possibility. Maybe once Chara returns with Venerare we'll get answers."
The two then waited for a moment until they heard Chara speaking with Venerare, as it seemed the two were having a pleasant conversation. Frisk watches as they notice how calm and patient Venerare is compared to Gunnhildr, who is very eager to learn everything from them without rest. It makes them wonder how they got Gunnhildr as a student while Chara has Venerare.
"Then again, I always befriend the strange ones."
"Hey, I'm back and I found Venerare. It turns out she was busy talking with Gunnhildr about them building the status of Barbatos once this rebellion is won. Plus, Gunnhildr's people are already making a small status of Barbatos with Gunnhildr overseeing the making of the status herself."
Chara turned to see what they had exactly said; Gunnhildr and her people were making a small statue of Barbatos, and the whole group was making sure the statue was perfect and flawless. Frisk can see Gunnhildr looking at the half-made statue while speaking to someone about his shaking hands.
"I gave them all a day off and they all decided to do this?"
"Well, you didn't exactly tell them what they should do on their day off, and look where it led them. But hey, at least let them do what they want after all that hard work."
"I guess you're right."
The twins look at the people who looked moments away from celebrating when the small statue was like a third of a quarter done. They took a moment to see how much fun they were all having after everything they endured so far. It was nice to have a break.
"Umm… Teacher, didn't you want to find me for something?"
Chara realized this and apologized to Venerare.
"Oh! Sorry, Venerare, yes, I did look for you because I believe you're more of an expert on what I'm about to ask you. We noticed something different about the blizzard today. Ventus has a theory, but we would like to hear your opinion on this."
When Chara explains this to Venerare, she notices the blizzard as their words fall on deaf ears, as if she recognized today's current condition. Chara notices her not listening as they notice how focused she is when she sees the blizzard. They waited for a moment before seeing her turn to them with a face of seriousness.
"Teacher, did I ever mention that we saw the God of Blizzard attack the storm barrier during our time together?"
"I think you didn't explain that properly, you told me that someone kept on keeping track of certain things. But you didn't mention what exactly you kept track of. Did one of them track the movements of Boreas?"
"Yes, the first time we got here, we all felt the ground shake as one of our men volunteered to see what was happening as he saw the God of Blizzard. It was thanks to his bravery in keeping track of his movement so that we'll know when to keep a distance. And the fact the blizzard was off during our time here, normally when this occurs, we would be prepared for the ground shaking as some of us could either fall, drop something, or in worse cases, get injured."
Chara could imagine scenarios of what Venerare said; they sighed at how informed the information was as everyone could start preparing for the worst. Who knows if the upcoming earthquake will make the cave collapse, and if it has already endured, who knows how many earthquakes? It'd shock them how it is still standing.
"So today is one of the days where he'll attack."
"Yes, we'll have to inform everyone right now, only my people are going to be prepared for what's going to happen. I do not know how Gunnhildr's people deal with Boreas' attack, but since they once lived in the city they certainly know how to deal with it differently from what we do."
"Venerare, go warn everyone about this. Ventus, you too; it'll be good if more people are informed so everyone can prepare faster."
"Teacher, what about you? Aren't you going to help out too?"
Chara was about to respond but noticed Frisk's expression that told them that Frisk needed them for something. And the way Frisk looks tells them that it is something beyond ordinary and questions their sanity.
"I'll be doing something with Frisk. I'm not sure what it is, but I believe it is very important. So we'll be gone for… Depending on what we'll do."
Venerare looked at her teacher, a bit worried about them, but Chara assured her with a smile that said they'd be okay as she nodded. She then left with Ventus not before giving them a look that said "Stay safe" as he left with Venerare.
It was now only the two twins as Chara gave Frisk a look of annoyance.
"So what will you do this time Frisk? And how will I be a help on this?"
"Put on a coat Chara! We'll go after Boreas! We're heading to Mondstadt City!"
Frisk then leaped out of the cave, filled with determination to talk with Boreas. Chara just stood there stunned by what they said until they noticed their bodies were going after Frisk.
"Damn you Frisk! You better hope we won't be killed for this! And this time, I mean it!"
The two ran towards the storm barrier where they'll soon witness a powerful appearance.
——————————————————————————————————————————
"Huh… The fact it was less cold at the hideout was for the cold to slowly drop on our way there. That must mean that we're getting closer to the Boreas. And Mondstadt City! Damn, the barrier looks so large when we get closer!"
Chara felt a bit shiver as they walked further to Mondstadt City; the temperature dropped the closer they walked, and they wondered just how bad it would be once they came face to face with Boreas.
"Seems like it, though it is not nearly as impressive as the barrier that blocks the underground and the surface. Hopefully talking to him will be simple like back home."
Frisk said as they sadly couldn't see the city as the storm obviously blocked the view. It made them wonder just how the city looked once they entered through the storm.
"You mean him fighting to kill you until you manage to pacify him."
Chara recalls that most of the monsters would attack Frisk on sight and drop fighting once they made them act non-hostile towards them. So they doubt that either they or Frisk will make Boreas listen the moment they meet.
"Well, we're almost there, got a few foods ready, weapons and armor equipped, and… Anything else we should be aware of?"
"...No, I can't think of anything else. Unless you mean… Wait, who is that?"
Chara notices something from the corner of their eyes, some kind of person who seems to watch them from afar. The person was hiding behind a rock as if they were confident no one could see them, but Chara already noticed them as they calmly walked towards the rock. Frisk just stood there looking at the rock.
"Hey, I saw you! What are you doing out here?"
They asked but all they got was a silent response. Chara walked a bit closer until they suddenly felt the urge to stop as they were stepping away from looking behind the rock.
"Shouldn't I be asking you the same?"
A female voice, the tone of a child, echoed in the area. Frisk and Chara felt their half SOUL immediately come out, signaling that a battle was about to begin. But before they could do anything the female voice echoed again.
"Please don't be afraid, I do not wish to fight you both. I just felt like I wanted to know you both after feeling that sudden urge from my power. A similar power that resides in both of you but half of what I felt."
The tone sounds so calm and patient as the figure slowly reveals herself. Standing in front of the Dreemurrs was a woman who looked majestic. As if she was some kind of powerful being. Frisk and Chara could not help but feel a bit on guard at the sight of her.
She wore clothing that looked similar to the people of Mondstadt as if she was in disguise. The fact her voice made them think that it was a little girl, but they were greatly mistaken. But that didn't stop their half-SOUL from entering what seemed like a battle.
* T-1s 1s @ b@–l3 y0u -@nn0t w1n – f1–t1ng!
* We… Can't win?
[f1–T][💔@CT][1-3M][M—Y]
💔 * Ch3-k * -@1k
1st@r0– - –K ?? D– ??
* @n3 – th3 f0ur — of -h3 H3@^3n– Pr1–1pl3s.
* –3 -vl3r 0- -1w3.
"So the system is still acting like this."
That was the thought of both Frisk and Chara as they glanced at their broken system.
Ever since they appeared in this world, their menu became glitchy, as if it was pulling itself from disappearing completely. They could somewhat read what the text was trying to tell them. It sometimes doesn't let them press a button like how a broken controller won't work until you either use brute force or keep on pressing the buttons. The effects when you have half a SOUL.
The reason why they still have access to the system is because the two halves are together, nearly combined, to tell them what to do to ensure their survival. But both Frisk and Chara had to decide together what button and option they should do as checking this woman's information was something they decided together.
As if it wasn't problematic enough, they could not access their SAVE file, no shining star anywhere, no matter where they go. Survival was the number one priority for them, no more resets. If they died, then it was GAME OVER for real for both Frisk and Chara!
The only battle they both fought in was the people who wanted training. There were no real battles that involved life or death, until now. Now, there was a being whose stats were unknown; she was giving out an aura that said she was very powerful, and they doubted their weapons could either protect or defend them.
So, in this first "turn," neither one of them did anything but look at the woman in front of them.
"..."
The woman in front of them didn't say anything or do anything. Unlike Napstablook, who made words appear, this woman did nothing at all. No incoming attack, or anything that involves getting hurt or getting healed.
But that didn't stop her from seeing the two of them up close. Like Barbatos when they first met, she too was interested in them. So, pretty much her turn was to do nothing but watch as it was their turn again.
[💔@CT]
* –1s -0w@n l0–34 h3- 3-3s 0- -0u -0th.
* Ch3-k 💔 * -@1k
* Y0- -ry -0 –3@k w–h t-13 -0w@n.
"Umm… You said you felt something from us that is the same power as you?"
The woman didn't say anything as she locked eyes on Chara as something happened, Chara immediately felt something was wrong until she started speaking.
"Chara Religio, the human who hated humanity for what they tried to shape him into, to become one of them. Who wanted to destroy humanity by using his adopted brother to kill every single human because he thinks they are all the same."
Chara froze for a second as an enraged expression was shown on their face. They took out their dagger as they charged at the woman.
"How!? How do you know that name!?"
Frisk immediately became afraid as no one, no one other than themselves knows about Chara's last name and past other than Asriel. Chara threw away her true last name because of what happened in their past.
But that wasn't the only thing that Frisk was afraid of, it was what the woman was going to do to Chara if they got close. Chara already ran as Frisk was unable to stop them, only for them to watch what would happen.
The woman in question stood calmly as they locked on Chara as they were about to stab her, but suddenly they stopped and were frozen in place. She could see the anger in Chara when she mentioned their last name.
"My apologies, I didn't wish to make you angry, I was curious about your appearance and presence. I wonder why Asmoday has brought the two of you here in Teyvat, perhaps it had something to do with that broken heart of yours."
She walked out of the range of where Chara was aiming as Chara was moving again but realized too late that the woman moved away as they fell on the snow.
"W-Wha…!? How!?"
"Those eyes of yours looked so beautiful and scary too. Never have I seen eyes so red in my life, straight black lines as pupils. It's like I'm being drawn to you despite you trying to hurt me."
The woman completely ignored the fact that Chara tried to hurt them, but instead got closer to Chara just to see their eyes. Chara couldn't help but glance at Frisk, who was just as confused as they were.
Chara looked back at the woman in front of them, very confused by what she said. But they wonder if that meant she had a crush on them or if she was just that interested in their "demonic" eyes. They were a bit concerned when people in the cave noticed their eyes but that concern quickly faded as people were either amazed or fascinated by their eyes, even Venerare.
"I do hope we can start over; like I said before, I do not mean harm to you both; you two are trying to help the people of Mondstadt, to speak with the Wolf of the North, and to defeat the God of Storms. I admire your bravery to make an effort to approach Boreas, but I doubt two mortals can talk to him without avoiding conflict."
Frisk understood what she was saying; Boreas is a whole different god; this wasn't their world where they take "turns"; no one was going to let them wait if they chose whether to fight or spare. Whatever they do is entirely on them; wherever they decide to do what they can still do or fully accept the changes, they have grown to adjust.
"We know, but that doesn't stop us from trying. We're determined to talk to Boreas in hopes of convincing him to stop causing trouble for not only the people outside the city but also for the people who have to ensure such a deity. We're filled with determination!"
As much as Chara wanted to stay, they got dragged into this, but having to watch over Frisk, they too know that the rebellion cannot continue living in a cave until they are certain they are ready to overthrow Decarabian.
And the fact that they still need to gather more resources and supplies to handle more people, they severely underestimate how many people the rebellion has in numbers.
"Determined? Is that what I felt in the two of you? …To believe such a word can be powerful for both of you to use. Perhaps determination is why you both were brought here to this isolated world. To be the next…"
Both Frisk and Chara now wondered if she knew who exactly brought them to Teyvat. Why did they bring them away from their world to here?
"Miss, do you perhaps know why we are here?"
The woman only stared at them, not saying anything, at least until they glanced towards the sky, as if she was looking at something. Frisk and Chara tried to look, but the blizzard was blocking wherever she was seeing. They look back to the woman only to notice the aura around her grows stronger but, at the same time, weakens.
"It's because you both, as a whole, are Descender."
Pure silence came after she answered, nothing but the winds of the coldness around them. Until Chara broke the silence.
"Do you mean… Someone related to us was here before?"
Silence once again, at least for a moment.