"You know, when I imagine a city, this isn't what I had imagined. This really makes me very concerned about how you all and your ancestors survived this long."
From their point of view, you couldn't even see a blue sky above or around the storm barrier. Just endless thick gray winds that block whatever could attack a powerful defensive shield.
You could see a tower in the middle of the city, if you could call it a city. Around the tower are bridges that you can only see three of just where you are standing. So there could be more if they manage to get behind the tower.
Frisk hadn't seen a single house when walking through the city, and at the same time had to lie low in order not to be found by the God of Storms. No housing of any kind, at least not until they were told that the caves were their homes before leaving the city.
This not only stunned Frisk completely, but also explains how well the people here were able to deal with the cave that is their base. They had assumed they felt way too comfortable to be living in a cave for a whole week but that clearly wasn't the case.
There were also other things that they could have explained but it looked very ancient when they looked around. Which proves that the money system and the economic system hadn't been invented yet.
At least the good thing is that taxes hadn't been invented yet, and if there were even an idea for a money system, they'll do everything in their power to not have taxes invented in any way possible.
Anyway, the question they asked was answered by Gunnhildr.
"Well, we all survived by just worshiping Decarabian in fear. At least until two weeks ago when we met Ventus and Barbatos, and a week before we met you and Chara. Plus, we and the God of Storms viewed the city differently from what you expected."
"Well, you're right about that. Anyway, let's find more supplies. It's a good thing we all split up just to cover more ground and that you all definitely know people who would want something done while feeling trapped. So, where to go first?"
The whole group had decided to split up as the group, which they should now confirm is a clan, had different places they once lived before leaving. So, unless the people in Mondstadt had been hiding inside their homes, it would explain why nobody noticed the disappearance of a whole clan.
And the fact that they were able to visit Gunnhildr's old home was something. But at least it was something like a home with furniture, a somewhat nice atmosphere inside, but for plumbing… That is something they should focus on as a top priority after the rebellion is won.
Anyway, Gunnhildr was able to visit her neighbors, whom she hadn't seen for a week, and get caught up with what was happening during her absence. And like what she expected, Decarabian hasn't figured out her clan's disappearance while still accepting that his worshippers are looking up to him with respect instead of seeing the fear.
The fact that Frisk never saw other people react the way they are seen, as if a single word that came out of the god's mouth will make everyone in Mondstadt react with fear and respect.
In a way from their perspective, the people of Mondstadt wanted freedom from the barrier that trapped them from the dangers out there while having to deal with a tyrant that ruled over them.
It was kinda similar to monsters, but unlike the humans, the monsters wanted to have seven human SOULs just to break a powerful magic spell to return to the surface. The humans here, well, the rebellion, want to overthrow Decarabian to obtain freedom.
And that some of the people, like Gunnhildr, wanted something to be done, but were unable to because of the obvious situation. But this time, it wasn't Gunnhildr and her clan who came by with the blessing that could help. All they needed was more people. All they needed was encouragement.
And boy did Gunnhildr give them the courage they needed to have, along with introducing Frisk as someone she truly respects and worships, with a few other things that left them either embarrassed or concerned about how much she spoke about them.
At least she still spoke about Barbatos, as they were sure that it got more people to join in the rebellion, more than they anticipated; still, it was good. Gunnhildr had even given the new recruits something that signified their part of the resistance: "Windblume," a code for those who wish for freedom.
The code was created as something that Frisk was able to translate as "WindFlower." It was something Barbatos came up with while playing with windwheel aster flowers. A plant that adores the wind, and in case you're at a distance, you could see the flowers moving like those wind spinners.
And of course, everyone immediately accepted the code name as it was from their savior. At least they and Chara liked the name as they did like the flower, sure it wasn't the golden flowers, but at least it was something they could both enjoy watching spin.
"How do you all get your rations? I doubt anything in your home is still edible."
"We have someone who has what we need, but we have to exchange something equal to the value of what we need."
So it is somewhat like a trade, a thing for a thing. Frisk wasn't sure what it was called but they knew what it was.
"Are you sure what you have will be enough to trade? If you want, I can trade some of my items to help with the exchange."
Sure, the inside of their bag didn't seem like much, just school things, but the bag they carried was enchanted to carry absolutely anything. As well as having other slots for different things, like food, items, important items, armor, weapons, etc. And boy they sure have a lot.
"That would be appreciated, but wouldn't those things you have in that magic bag of yours be irreplaceable? They do look very unique and very valuable. For example, this square thing you gave me, it has your picture and strange words."
Gunnhildr showed Frisk their school ID when they were still attending high school. They give their ID to her as an example of what kind of things they brought with them during their time here. She was so interested in the many things Frisk brought with her that she couldn't recall what the things were for.
It was cute for them to see her holding their ID, like a child holding something new and unsure what it was.
"I'm sure that some of those items won't be useful for me anymore. (Especially since I'm in a different world.)"
They took out their cell phone, and its appearance was changed by Alphys, the former royal scientist in their world, as she was caught up in modern technology to make it look more like a regular phone instead of a cell phone.
It still had the functions it had while they were in the underground, the key chain, dimensional boxes in case they somehow lost their bag, texting, the Underground, now Surface-Ground's social network, jetpack, bomb defusing, and access to Shooter Mode.
Everything still worked the same, but not every function. Whenever they tried to call Toriel and the others, it would always lead to strange sounds that sounded like garbage. There was also no internet, so they couldn't check the network.
Anyway, they had a lot of things they wouldn't mind exchanging.
"Plus, some of these things, to me, are just ordinary items. Some that would be invented in a few centuries or so."
They mutter the last part as they knew that some of the things they were going to exchange were going to be invented one day, perhaps even sooner as they have said items as inspiration.
Soon, the two were able to meet the person who had the things they needed. The exchange was short and simple, as the items were very valuable, and they got many supplies. Frisk had to put the supplies in their bag to ensure neither they nor Gunnhildr had to carry them all.
Frisk was instantly reminded of the old prison movies that had the person who had absolutely anything as long as you got what the person needed. And the fact that the person has everything, and they mean everything.
They even asked if the guy had material from another nation, and he had sakura blooms from the Electro nation of Inazuma. A lumidouce bells from the Hydro nation Fontaine. Cor lapis from the Geo nation of Liyue. Nitotpala lotus from the Dendro nation of Sumaru. Dracolite from the Pyro nation of Natlan. And a knife holster from the Cryo nation of Snezhnaya.
Frisk decided to just get the holster as it was something that could boost Chara's stats depending on which stat it gives. And having Chara with them to check the description of the holster.
So with the exchange done, the two decided to meet up with everyone at Gunnhildr's home. It was a simple walk, nothing bad happened… Yet.
"...You mention that Decarabian resides in that tower, right?"
"Yes, I have told you this, Frisk? Did the tower interest you?"
"In a way, yes, because I am wondering if that's your god at the top."
Gunnhildr froze at what Frisk said as she quickly turned to see the God of Storms looking towards his city, as if he was spectating everything. He wore robes with a cloak, jewelry that looked like the ores that Venerare's group had gathered outside the city. His presence screams of being powerful and terrifying.
Gunnhildr felt like her heart stopped, frozen in fear as she saw the god that made everyone afraid just by a single glance. She immediately became worried if he had spotted her and her instructor and sensed their blessings.
But to her relief, he didn't, it seemed in his point of view they were nothing but ants moving around in an ant farm. He didn't even give a second glance at the two people he looked at before looking somewhere else.
Frisk could see the arrogance within the god as he assumed there wasn't any threat inside his city. Boy, how wrong he is. There was a group of people in the city with the blessing of a wind spirit and a person with three blessings.
Plus, they recall that Decarabian wouldn't sense Istaroth's blessing as she's one of the Shades. And the way they saw him, they somewhat felt that even if he sensed Barbatos' blessing, he wouldn't see a wind spirit as a threat but more of a nuisance.
"From where we are standing, I can understand your fears, his powers give out a more powerful aura than Boreas."
Frisk comments at the sight of the God of Storms. They grabbed Gunnhildr's hand and quickly hid behind one of the pillars that held the roof of an abandoned home.
"It will take more people to overthrow him. Boreas had no followers or support, as nobody prayed to him, which could have boosted his strength and powers. But for Decarabian, they are worshipping him in fear which counts as prayers."
They glance at the small group of people in the distance looking pure terrified of their god. Praying to him in hopes of not attracting his wrath. So it seems that there are a few… Brave people who aren't hiding away in their homes.
Even if it is a different kind of prayer, it is still a prayer that powers him up. And the fact that Decarabian is even absorbing the prayers from his worshippers. The glow emanated from his body.
Gunnhildr realizes what Frisk is saying.
"So you're saying that if we recruit more people, then it will weaken Decarabian powers?"
"Yes, but we can't recruit everyone. We sadly have to leave a lot of people here because if we take too many of the population it will definitely get Decarabian attention, especially if he can sense the lack of his worshippers."
Gunnhildr can see their reasoning, even if the prayers would go down just a bit, it will still make the God of Storms suspicious of why it isn't at the amount he normally gets.
"Once we get back to your family home we should get out of here as soon as possible. We cannot risk running into him right now, though the chances seem slim. Still, you can never know."
Their student nodded as they quickly rushed back to her home, meeting up with everyone. Both of them had to be extra careful as the God of Storms is still watching over his city. If he spots someone at the barrier, then he'll either push the person away from the barrier or confront them about why they are there in the first place.
Then again the latter seems likely.
Frisk had to do a headcount to see if everyone else had arrived back, and to their relief, everyone was here. They also counted how many new recruits they had, and the number was 25, which was a little for an army, but it was good enough not to attract the gods' attention.
But unlike Gunnhildr's clan, the recruits are just ordinary people, and obviously don't know how to wield a weapon, or have the talent like said clan. But then again, perhaps they had hidden talent hidden away because of their fears.
Frisk immediately began to speak to everyone.
"The numbers seem good enough. Okay, everyone! Unless you all have last-minute things to do, then we should all leave immediately... Actually, I should make sure we're in the clear so just wait for a moment."
With no response or anyone saying anything, they figured that everyone was ready to head off.
Frisk check the entrance as you can never know if someone could be prying there. Once they are sure the coast is clear they exit and look at where they first spotted the God of Storms. It seems he had already finished watching over his city and went back inside his tower. But they decided to make sure it was like that.
They quickly and carefully walk around as they neither spot nor notice a sight of Decarabian. Seeing everything seemed okay, they went back and got everyone out of Gunnhildr's home for what possibly could be the last time, in her case.
While everyone was speeding back to the barrier Frisk couldn't help but notice that one of the new recruits seemed less ordinary than the rest. A pretty woman with long white hair who apparently wore clothing that matched that of an ancient mistress.
They quickly went to Scharlach, who immediately noticed Frisk eyeing the woman who was obviously different from everyone else. So he quickly spoke to Frisk as he knew it would be a shock for them.
"If you're wondering about that woman… Let's just say that out of anybody we have recruited, I didn't think I would have gotten the lover of Decarabian to join us in the rebellion."
Frisk took a moment to process his sparring partner and took everything in their willpower to not overreact. They had so many questions, some that they believed had already been answered by thinking.
Scharlach already seemed to know what Frisk wanted to say as they spoke quietly.
"Her name is Amos, and from what I was able to see is that she already knew that Decarabian didn't love her the way she thought. It seems that she got quite the wake-up call as she knew she was powerless to do anything, at least until she noticed me speaking with a few people. Let's just say she wanted to stop her 'lover' from continuing his tyrannical rule."
"Hmm, didn't think we'll ever get his lover to join us, but hey, the unexpected comes at an unexpected moment."
"Still, if you had questions for her, then I suggest you hold them until we make it back to base."
Frisk nodded as they continued leading everyone to the barrier.
Once they reached the barrier they all decided to do the same plan again while Frisk kept an eye out. Soon enough, and rather quickly, everyone went through the barrier as Amos was the last person to go.
But suddenly she stops, which confuses Frisk. They approach her as they notice how worried she is, was it because she was going to leave the city she grew up in, or because what she was doing was seen as treason as she's Decarabian's lover.
Frisk wasn't sure if their options were right, but they knew they'd get their answers sooner or later.
"Hey, you're worried how this will end up."
Instead of answering their question, Amos looks at Frisk, eyeing them as she looks up and down. As if she were inspecting the Dreemurr that she had heard so much about.
"...You're the person everyone kept talking about, one of their main leaders. One of the few they believe will free everyone from his rule. But… Do you and everyone really have what it takes to overthrow him? I just… Think it seems impossible."
Frisk could just smile at her as they reassure her.
"Depends on how determined everyone will be on the day retribution commences. I can say we have a long way to go, but that doesn't mean we should delay the inevitable. This war has gone on long enough, and it is high time that something should be done. To end this long overdue war."
And with no warning, Frisk grabbed her arms, activated their time ability to stop everything, once again had their half-SOUL turn cyan, and teleported outside the barrier where everyone was waiting while time flowed back.
"...Wait—how!?"
Amos was stunned by how she suddenly got from in front of the barrier and now across. Frisk just let out a chuckle at her reaction.
"Well, there's a reason why everyone spoke highly of me. Come on, we still have a lot to do while the sun is still up."
They spoke as they led everyone back to base while Amos was thinking, maybe just maybe, the person who just did whatever he did has what it takes to beat her lover. She couldn't help but want to offer a prayer to the Dreemurr who had given her the chance to see what was beyond the barrier.
To her, it was beautiful.