No one said anything, no one dared speak, just pure silence as if what both the woman and Chara had made them look at one another in confusion. The woman didn't confirm or deny what Chara said.
"Err… Miss… What exactly do you mean by Descender?"
Frisk broke the silence as they wondered what the woman had said to them. They took the words seriously as they realized they meant something more than what the word meant to them. The woman finally spoke after watching Chara.
"The word I said is something that is titled to those who are from beyond this world. You both are the current beings who are from outside of Teyvat. The Fourth Descender."
The three words felt like a title of meaning, something that they felt they did not fully understand. It made Frisk and Chara feel a bit curious about their newfound title and wonder who were the other three Descenders.
"So we have a special title, but you said we both are the fourth one as one whole. Wouldn't that mean either me or Chara become like the fourth or fifth?"
The woman smiled at Frisk's words, but she calmly shook her head, signifying that Frisk was half, correct and half wrong.
"Normally, that would be the case, but it isn't for you both. You see, I can sense a broken soul, and that broken soul is still one soul of someone, which can be either you, Frisk, or Chara; because of that, you both are one whole of a Descender. If one of you wouldn't mind me asking, but, whose soul did it belong to?"
Frisk noticed they hadn't shared their name as she already knew who they were; they thought that perhaps she didn't want to make the same mistake, so she only spoke their name and not anything else. Still, they didn't want to be rude and answer her question.
"It was mine before it was somehow split in half. Perhaps the strange cube that absorbed me must have done something to my SOUL before waking up here. I'm honestly still shocked that we're still alive right now. But if Chara's alive then I don't mind having half a SOUL."
Frisk remembers they tried to split their SOUL in half just to give Chara a chance to relive their childhood, but all attempts ended up having them return to their SAVE point.
The woman glances at the two pieces as if she already knows what Frisk is saying.
"So what you're saying is that if a soul breaks in half then it means you're dead. But because the method my co-worker used to bring you here must have somehow kept it alive? (Though I doubt it was just her alone.)"
"Oh? So you know who brought us here? …Ah! We forgot to ask for your name. It would be rude if we don't know."
As Frisk wanted to know just who the strange cube belonged to, they knew it would be rude if they hadn't gotten her name at this point.
"It's no problem. I doubt you both have heard of me, but I'll inform you of my identity. I am Istaroth, one of the Four Shades of the Heavenly Principles. The Ruler of Time."
She spoke as her appearance changed, as if time had decided to go either forward or backward. Her appearance looked clearer now as she had platinum blond hair, light blue isotoxal star eyes, strange light blue markings on her neck and shoulder, and majestic robes with a turquoise orb as a strange accessory. She looked absolutely stunning.
Frisk and Chara gasped at the Istaroth title; they realized the words the check option had said to them weren't misleading, as she was one of the four gods that resided in Celestia. A god with a higher authority than any of the gods resides in the seven nations.
"So, you're one of the gods from Celestia? I'm surprised that someone as powerful as you would be in Mondstadt. Unless you have some kind of reason to be here on solid ground."
Chara said as their tone was filled with suspicion. Istaroth said nothing but instead only looked to where Mondstadt is currently at, behind the massive storm barrier.
"You can say that I'm inspecting the sad view of this long-cruel war that the Heavenly Principles have put on just to have seven gods take the roles of the Seven Archons. Even though I would not dare say this directly to the lord, it is still sad to see humanity having to deal with gods fighting among each other. So many lives were lost because of the decision."
Her voice tone was with regret and helplessness as if she couldn't do anything at all, or at least that is what it seemed like.
"Even if we were ordered not to intervene with this war, the lord didn't say we wouldn't give our blessings to humanity. At least a small group."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
Both Frisk and Chara thought as Isaroth just took a glance at the tornado storm. She couldn't help but sigh sadly.
"It is truly sad that people of this nation have to hide in fear of their own god. And the god who was supposed to watch over them never understood what his people were, only a few gods like that wind spirit and I would give our blessings to those who wanted change, who wanted freedom. But unlike your group, my group still lives in fear within Mondstadt."
Frisk looked surprised; it seemed that Istaroth knew about Barbatos or perhaps was already aware of them as she is the Ruler of Time. But it suddenly gave them a thought, did she expect their arrival in Teyvat?
The fact she was able to sense a part of their determination's special ability, had made them a bit worried if she was going to ask either them or Chara about the timelines.
But maybe fortunately for Frisk, Chara wants to ask something. Something that caught their attention.
"Wait, so there are people inside of Mondstadt who have similar blessings as the people of Barbatos."
From their understanding, Barbatos' blessing was the reason Gunnhildr's people were able to survive in the harsh cold. And he gave them power to be in equal power to one day overthrow the God of Storms. It proves he was quite powerful for a spirit, but the fact is Istaroth, a god from Celestia, had done the same as Barbatos, yet her group isn't doing anything.
"Yes, I have given them strength and patience in hopes for them to at least do something for everyone. But none of them dare to even dare to go against their god."
Suddenly the cold was dropping as a similar wind ability appeared to get rid of the snow on their first day here. It definitely felt like wind magic as only a powerful being can do something like that.
"Yet, only our group has been able to leave the city and are in the group that is planning on overthrowing the God of Storms."
Chara spoke as they recalled the week of getting everyone to have perfect training; everyone was showing good progress. Everyone was helping each other on getting used to using weapons. Gunnhildr and Venerare are like the leaders of the whole rebellion.
Ventus and Barbatos are the support and strength of the group. Ventus is the person who would ensure hope will remain with everyone, as Barbatos is the strength, thanks to his blessing. Two of their trusted friends.
Scharlach is the assistant teacher for swordsmanship as he and Frisk are on equal terms with each other. He was good at teaching others as Frisk didn't have to worry about having to spend less time training each person. He is a good friend to everyone, including themselves.
Chara can still recall the moment the spar between him and Frisk was shown; it, unfortunately, made Gunnhildr more determined to prove herself to her instructor. This caused Frisk to be even more strict with her to ensure she didn't collapse from exhaustion.
Venerare was also a student to them, and only she and two of her people, along with two of Gunnhildr's people, were willing to learn their dagger skills. Out of anybody, Venerare was the only one who was nearly able to go toe-to-toe with them. It made them think that she was a worthy student to match with them.
It was strange; never in their life would they have more friends other than Asriel, friends who didn't look at them with strange looks, who hadn't been rude to them because of their appearance, who simply saw them as one of them, human. It truly felt… Nice. As if they finally found a true sense of belonging.
They would forever be grateful the Dreemurr family took them in and raised them as one of their own. Even if they were the reason their adopted family was broken apart, they at least tried to mend it together again. Their family was together again, and that is all that matters to them, being whole without the one who caused the whole mess to begin with.
This time, and now grown up (despite only just growing up as a ghost), they would ensure they won't make the same mistake again.
"The people who you both look after are the example of what I have hoped for the people I give my blessings to. But unlike you both, I remain hidden, only whispers of encouragement to those who wanted change and freedom."
"Perhaps unlike Barbatos, you choose to stay hidden while he presents himself to those who needed help at the crucial moment."
Chara said to Istaroth who said nothing as she turned to the two. As if she was expecting someone.
"As much as I would like to explain myself further, I would ask if you both need my blessing for your upcoming fight with Boreas. I'll say this, his Cryo powers are the reason why this harsh blizzard continues to go on. If only he knew just what it has been doing in this region."
This caught the two off guard. Boreas was coming to where they are exactly at? Not to mention…
"Wait, so it wasn't just something he could do. It was something that was within his power that he used to create harsh blizzards."
"I can say that out of every ability he can do, his blizzard effects aren't something he can easily control. Or even aware of what it has caused to the people and the land."
She did an arm swirl as the snow around them quickly became grass that was hidden underneath. But with another swirl, the snow came back as if nothing had changed at all.
"And that he is fighting Decarabian to gain the title of the Anemo Archon. I can simply say neither of the two is worthy of being an Archon."
Frisk thought immediately went somewhere as they knew the Anemo element. It was the element of wind, the breeze, air, storms, anything that is related to wind. Does that mean Boreas also have Anemo powers as well.
"Are you saying there are requirements to become an Archon?"
Chara asked as they were surprised by the power she displayed. And wondering if getting her blessing would give them a hidden power or ability, like how they gain wind magic and its abilities.
Thanks to Barbatos, Frisk, and Chara easily learned wind magic as well with a few wind abilities. Although the magic was easy to do, making an ability out of wind took a bit of work.
For instance, Frisk was able to learn a sword skill called Tornado Strike, an ability to throw their sword as it circles around to make a tornado that swallows enemies and does Anemo damage.
For Chara, they learned a dagger skill called Hurricane Blade, an ability to do seven stab strikes with a small hurricane appearing in each strike. It also does Anemo damage.
So far they only learned one ability of their respective weapons. It wasn't like they could simply learn new abilities from the get-go. It takes practice and effort to create new skills.
Istaroth began to explain the requirements.
"Yes, one of the requirements is that each Archon must truly understand their people, seeing their struggles and hardships."
"Which neither could do because of their own powers and personalities."
Frisk said with their tone, which sounded like they were upset.
It was easily proven that Boreas caused a winter wasteland outside of Mondstadt City that definitely killed people. Decarabian simply believes that his people are protected because of him, but he does not understand what his people are truly feeling.
"The other requirement is that the Archon must show love to their people, as well as being respected and believed by the people themselves."
Istaroth explained the second requirement. Frisk and Chara simply nod in agreement.
From what they heard, while Boreas was a god, there was no one they knew or heard anyone that worshiped him. As for Decarabian, again, it was obvious that his sense of love doesn't match what people view of love, and his people respect him out of fear.
Meanwhile Barbatos, despite being a spirit, was growing strong as more people began to worship and believe him. If it was that simple then that means he definitely will become the Anemo Archon.
"Just hearing these requirements makes me more determined to ask Boreas to stop his blizzards. This land and war has gone off for too long."
Frisk declared as they felt someone was slowly approaching.
"He has arrived. Do you both wish to have my blessing? It wouldn't hurt to be prepared to fight against a god."
Istaroth asked with a bit of certainty as if she already knew what their answers were going to be.
"If that's okay with you. We would like to have another boost in power. As much as my twin would want to talk this out peacefully I doubt we'll be able to avoid at least a fight."
Chara said, knowing they would need more than just Anemo's strength if they were going to fight a god. Plus this could test if they have what it takes to fight a god. A real one.
Istaroth nodded as she summoned two small turquoise orbs that looked strangely similar to the Anemo orbs but had a different power. Their half SOULs quickly reacted and absorbed the orbs.
They immediately felt a rush of new strength and power as they immediately learned the stop spell.
"Are you going to join us? Perhaps with you here we wouldn't need to fight Boreas."
Frisk asks, hoping that she will, but they somewhat know what the answer is going to be.
"I unfortunately can't. As much as I would like to help you both, I can't fully intervene in Mondstadt's war. If the Heavenly Principles knew or felt something was off here then I would be punished severely. It is something you cannot make an enemy of."
She regretfully said with a mix of fear to the two as in an instant she disappeared, as if she was never there in the first place.
"The Heavenly Principles must be truly powerful and terrifying if it makes Istaroth that afraid."
Chara spoke as they were surprised by the reaction Istaroth showed.
The blizzard immediately became very uncontrollable just like Istaroth said, but thanks to her blessing, along with Barbatos', they were able to see through the blizzard without any problem.
They saw a huge wolf slowly approaching Frisk and Chara as his eyes narrowed down on the two. His appearance looks like a wolf of legends they heard back home, with the color cyan and dark blue. They can feel the massive air pressure that surrounds Boreas and the storm barrier behind them.
"Are you two the worshipers of Decarabian?"
The wolf growled as if he were looking at the mortals of his enemy. Frisk and Chara both knew that if they said something that sounded like a threat, then fighting would be impossible to avoid. Their response will decide what will happen.