[H3] 6 months later [/h3] 

And so, 6 months pass. 6 months in which Ashevelen had to work hard. For the first time in centuries, it wasn’t about genetics or different other similar issues. 

Faced with massive backslash from the many other nations based on their faith, Ashevelen took a number of steps which the Chosen did not understand but not questioned either, for whom would dare to challenge the command of their God? 

The answer would be quite a few people. Led by Pontius at the front, many of the Chosen, mainly Pontius's followers, questioned the Goddess's decisions relating to how to best interact with the heathens. 

Nothing in front of the public, of course, but whispers in the dark, quiet enough not to attract the wrath of Ashevelen but loud enough to put Catherine on high alert.  

What decisions would that be? First of all, the alliance with the Ishtari. Without knowing about the connection between Ashevelen and Tiamat, it was a hard sell but the most inquisitive understood that there were things which they weren't being told. 

Eventually over the course of the 6 months, the Chosen learned to accept the Ishtari if not for the benefit of their army in face of so many other nations, surely because it was so commanded by the Goddess. 

Ashevelen kept her promise and sent Anchorite alongside what seemed an irrational amount of Rejected over to Tiamat to work on a cure for them and thankfully, it seemed the progress was being made. 

What would've taken long years for anyone else, the combination of Tiamat’s unconventional talents and obvious genius when it came to biology and Anchorite's super intelligence, intimate knowledge of the Chosen’s most important secrets practices, even if it was all dulled down by the occasional crazy burst of violence. 

The results of the experiments for a cure, seemed to enhance the already enhanced Rejected to a certain degree, making a fully new type of Chosen. Unfortunately, the test subjects would die soon afterwards. 'Thus work would have to continue until a viable solution would be discovered. 

Second decision taken by Ashevelen which wasn't understood was their contribution to the building of the Meeting Place. A massive space station that was formed in the Sol system, close to Earth. A place of neutrality where none may conduct hostile actions between each other.

A place of diplomacy and trade or in the Chosen’s case, a place of healing.
The Chosen part of the space station was built similar to a hospital and their services were available to all. Any and all human diseases were treated for free and utmost care was provided for those that weren't human and wished treatment. 

The Chosen hospital was accompanied, of course, by a church built in Chosen fashion. A reminder to all that the Goddess watches all and she truly did. All over the Chosen part of the station, security cameras were placed very discreetly. 

None may conduct hostile behavior while inside and if they did, the Chosen were more than equipped to protect themselves. Only templars with the latest enhancements, golden armour and human-looking were sent.

William was placed permanently in a diplomatic position on the Meeting Place. Improving the relationships between the others and the Chosen to the best of his ability. 

His own crew followed him and while the Rejected were kept away from interacting directly with the public, they were too allowed to join William's crew. 

The last but not the least, the decision to allow tourists from other nations, after vaccination against RADX-001's dangers, to visit the homeworld. Under supervision, for their own benefit, but everything was open to the others to see.

 From the burning rivers of Avalon, the Chosen’s second biggest city,  to the acidic ocean where only Sirens were allowed to swim in as their skin was made to be able to withstand its waters. 

Tourists were allowed to see the mass and join in the Church proceedings should they choose to do so, but, understandably it wasn't something that a lot chose to partake in. 

Besides all of these, Ashevelen publicly spoke to the masses more so than before. Slowly seeding thoughts of doubt in her own godhood in the hopes of making the transition smoother when it would happen. 

The visit on RADX-002 and promising to find a way to cure all was the most controversial action she took with many Chosen asking themselves, what does she mean by that?

The warning that came from the Ishtari about the upcoming war with PUNT, made Ashevelen’s decisions to strengthen the Chosen army correct and a large number of Chosen civilians asked to be transferred to a more militaristic branch of the Church for training and eventually to fight for the Goddess.

The Golden Armada, alongside the Ishtari battlecruisers were on constant alert at the Gateway, prepping either to attack or defend at a moment’s notice. While it took a while for the Ishtarians to follow the commands of Admiral Watson, they eventually agreed and soon the cooperation between the two armies became strong.