Crossover: Monthly Character Templates in the Multiverse Chat Group — Chapter 103

Chapter 103: Timmie’s Infinite Fall

“A Spring Fairy?” Kiana asked, crossing her arms with an unconvinced pout. “Is she really that big of a deal?”

“That’s just how it is,” Frez replied, his tone mild. “She is an Oceanid, and the entire settlement of Springvale was established because of her presence. I just don’t know if we can actually find her.”

Compared to Rhodeia, Springvale’s Callirhoe had exhausted her power long ago, leaving her barely able to maintain her form. Her recovery over the past five hundred years had been agonizingly slow.

With a casual snap of her fingers, Kiana tore open a Void portal. The group stepped through the spatial rift, instantly arriving at a quaint, rustic town built around a massive, crystal-clear lake.

Famous for its sweet spring water and generations of proud hunter traditions, Springvale exuded a leisurely, tranquil atmosphere. Windmills turned lazily in the distance, and the scent of pine and fresh water hung heavy in the air.

“So this is Springvale,” Frez said, glancing at the shimmering water. “Rhodeia, can you sense your kin?”

“No,” the Oceanid replied, her voice echoing softly. “But I do sense a lingering presence within that spring.”

The group approached the water’s edge. A stooped old man stood there, his weathered hands clasped behind his back as he gazed blankly into the rippling depths.

Hearing their footsteps, he turned. A warm, nostalgic smile wrinkled his face. “Hello there. Travelers passing through? Welcome to Springvale. I’m Old Finch.”

“Hello, elder,” Frez greeted politely. “We’ve heard the local legends of Springvale and came hoping to find the Spring Fairy.”

Old Finch let out a slow, wistful sigh, shaking his head. “I haven’t seen her for many, many years… but I believe she has always been here, watching over us.”

The group didn’t press the old man further. They stepped back, allowing Rhodeia to take the lead.

“I sense her,” Rhodeia murmured. “She is slumbering.”

As an Oceanid, Rhodeia possessed an innate connection to her kin. Following the faint elemental aura, she manifested a Plump Finch entirely out of pure hydro energy. The little water-bird hopped along the surface, leading them toward the deepest part of the spring.

“The water flow here is pure. It can provide her with power, but it is entirely insignificant compared to what she has lost,” Rhodeia noted. She reverted to her true, majestic form and dove gracefully beneath the surface.

A few moments later, the water bubbled. Two Oceanids—one large and imposing, the other small and fragile—burst from the spring, hovering in the air.

Callirhoe immediately noticed Furina. Sensing the overwhelming, divine aura radiating from her, the weakened Oceanid bowed her head. “Your Excellency, the Hydro Archon. The pollution back then was simply too severe. I truly lacked the strength to return to Fontaine, and could only remain here.”

Furina waved her hand with an elegant, airy flourish, masking her internal surprise with practiced theatricality. “It is fine, it is fine! You may rest and recover here for now. Rhodeia, share a bit of your power with her. Once we return, I shall have Neuvillette source some pure water to properly replenish you.”

“Don’t order me around!” Rhodeia snapped, crossing her watery appendages.

Despite her harsh tone, the tsundere Oceanid immediately channeled a stream of pure, revitalizing hydro energy into her weakened kin.

Bathed in the glowing water, Callirhoe’s form shifted, condensing into a young human girl with flowing blue hair. She stepped onto the grass, and both she and Old Finch bowed deeply. “Thank you, Lady Furina. And thank you, Rhodeia.”

“Your condition is still quite fragile,” Furina noted, resting a hand on her hip. “I suggest you remain here. I am in no hurry for your return; recuperate in these waters first.”

Callirhoe’s current state was indeed precarious. Even with Rhodeia’s assistance, attempting the long journey back to Fontaine would likely cause her to dissipate halfway. Staying in Springvale was the logical choice. Now that she had regained her self-awareness, she could actively accelerate her own recovery.

Callirhoe naturally agreed, her eyes shining with deep reverence for the newly born Hydro Archon.

“The sky is getting dark,” Frez noted, glancing at the shifting clouds. “We should head to Mondstadt City.”

Bidding farewell to Callirhoe and Old Finch, the group left the quiet town behind. A short walk brought them to the massive stone bridge leading into the city of Mondstadt.

As their boots hit the cobblestones, a massive flock of pigeons instantly scattered into the sky with a flurry of panicked wings.

“It’s all your fault! You scared the pigeons away!”

A young boy ran up to them, his face red with childish fury.

Frez sighed, rubbing his temples. He knew this was coming. Annoying.

“What?” Kiana glared down at the boy, her Herrscher aura leaking just enough to make the air drop ten degrees. “You think you’re in the right for feeding pigeons in the middle of a public bridge?”

The boy flinched, but stubbornly pointed a finger at her. “You scared them! Apologize to the pigeons right now!”

Kiana chuckled. A dangerous, golden light flashed in her eyes.

Snap.

A spatial portal tore open directly beneath Timmie’s feet. The boy shrieked as he plummeted into the void. A split second later, a second portal opened high in the sky above the bridge. Timmie fell out of it, screaming at the top of his lungs, only to plunge right back into the portal on the ground.

Over and over, the boy fell in an endless, terrifying loop, his shrieks echoing across the lake.

The commotion instantly drew the attention of the two Knights of Favonius guarding the city gates. They gripped their polearms and sprinted over. “Hey! What’s going on here?!”

Clorinde stepped forward, her posture rigid and her hand resting casually near her rapier. She calmly explained the situation.

The two guards exchanged tired, exasperated looks. Timmie had pulled this stunt countless times, and all their previous warnings had fallen on deaf ears. The locals usually tolerated the boy’s tantrums, but pulling this on heavily armed outsiders was a different story entirely.

“Um… he’s just a child,” one of the guards tried to reason, sweating under Clorinde’s cold gaze.

“Which is precisely why we haven’t drawn our blades,” Clorinde replied, her voice like cracking ice. “Your Mondstadt hospitality leaves much to be desired, allowing a child to offend the Hydro Archon of Fontaine. In our nation, offending the Archon warrants immediate imprisonment.”

“Fontaine… Hydro Archon?!”

Both Knights froze. Their jaws dropped, and cold sweat beaded on their foreheads as they frantically scanned the group. “Wh-which one of you is…”

“Me. Furina de Fontaine!”

Furina stepped forward, lifting her chin with absolute, haughty arrogance. “Your Mondstadt is truly lacking in manners.”

“Th-this…” The guard swallowed hard. “Lawrence, go find Acting Grand Master Jean! Now!”

Whether the claim was true or not, fetching the Acting Grand Master was the only safe play. Lawrence nodded frantically and sprinted toward the city gates. If the Grand Master’s expedition hadn’t taken all the cavalry horses, he would have ridden one.

“Um, Your Excellency, Hydro Archon,” the remaining guard stammered, bowing awkwardly. “We apologize for not welcoming you properly. We… um…”

“Enough,” Furina interrupted, waving him off. “If you don’t know what to say, remain silent. I am merely here traveling. I had no intention of revealing my identity, but your city’s entrance is somewhat disappointing.”

Three minutes later, Frez reached out a hand. He caught the screaming Timmie by the collar just as the boy fell from the sky, pulling him out of the portal loop.

“Alright, stop shrieking,” Frez said dryly, dropping the boy onto the cobblestones. “You only survived that because we’re reasonable people. If you met someone less patient, you’d have been slapped into the lake.”

Bridges were meant for walking. Treating a major trade route like a personal petting zoo was a structural hazard.

Timmie, whose pants were now visibly wet, didn’t dare utter a single word. He scrambled to his feet and sprinted away, sobbing hysterically.

“Let’s enter the city,” Frez said.

This time, Furina took the lead, walking with exaggerated elegance while Clorinde shadowed her every step. Kiana had hopped onto Frez’s back, riding piggyback while marching her arms in the air as if she were the one commanding the grand entrance.

By the time Acting Grand Master Jean Gunnhildr hurried to the plaza, Furina was already surrounded. A large group of Fontainian merchants doing business in Mondstadt had spotted her, immediately swarming the area to express their frantic respect.

“Lady Furina! Why have you come all this way? Are you seeking inspiration for a new opera in Mondstadt?” a merchant asked eagerly.

“Preposterous! I am simply traveling,” Furina snorted proudly, crossing her arms. “Do I look like I need to search for inspiration?”

Frez looked up, his Six Eyes catching a massive shift in the atmospheric cursed energy. “The weather isn’t looking good.”

Dark, violent clouds suddenly gathered over the city. The wind howled, tearing through the plaza with unnatural ferocity. Within the swirling storm, a colossal, six-winged dragon silhouette eclipsed the sun.

Kiana tightened her grip around Frez’s neck, her white hair whipping wildly in the gale. “What’s going on?!”

“Nothing much,” Frez replied, his voice perfectly calm over the roaring wind. “It’s just Dvalin.”

“Everyone, quickly find shelter!” Furina yelled, her theatrical persona dropping as she ushered the Fontainians toward the stone walls.

Panicked screams erupted from the Mondstadters across the plaza. “Stormterror is here! Stormterror is here!”

The Anemo energy in the air grew violent, ripping roof tiles from the nearby buildings. Frez simply stood there, shaking his head at the chaos.

Furina grabbed his sleeve. “Aren’t you going to help?!”

“The Mondstadters brought this on themselves,” Frez said dryly. “Who’s to blame?”

Jean, who had just arrived, fell silent at those words. Her jaw tightened, but she stepped forward, placing a hand over her heart in a crisp salute. “Your Excellency, Hydro Archon. I am Jean Gunnhildr, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. I must ask you and your friends to take shelter from the storm at our headquarters immediately.”

“Lady Furina! Please use your great divine power to think of something!” a terrified Fontainian merchant begged from the crowd.

Furina, who had been fully prepared to run for the nearest reinforced basement, froze. She was suddenly put on the spot, the weight of dozens of expectant eyes crushing down on her.

She turned to Frez, her eyes wide and pleading for a way out.

Frez let out a quiet sigh, stepping past the Hydro Archon.

“No need for Lady Furina to dirty her hands,” Frez declared, his tone echoing with absolute, unshakable confidence. “I will handle this.”