(Dairoku's POV)

After noticing the crashed train cars, Kuraime and I swiftly flew over towards the wreckage, worried that our comrades were hurts but... luckily, as we got closer, they seemed... Physically alright, emphasis on that word... And, they have... an old lady with high-tech goggles with them...? I don't know anymore.

As Kuraime and I touched down on the snow, we both disengaged our powered up forms and she began running towards where we saw Ruby... I only then noticed that her outfit seemed... different... her hair was white...her eyes were a pinkish purple color, like mulberry purple... she still had those dark gray wings and she had those red horns l...

Me: Uhh... Kuraime?

Kuraime: *stops and turns to face me* Yes?

Me: Since when did you have time to change your appearance?

Kuraime raised an eyebrow of confusion before looking down on herself, realizing her different outfit...

Kuraime: U-Um...

Before she could say anything else, her eyes reverted back to normal as her wings and horns disappeared and her clothes reverted back to normal. At the same time, Artemis exposed herself from Dairoku's necklace and looked at the demonic huntress with interest.

Artemis: Interesting...

Kuraime just decided to ignore what happened and went back to looking for Ruby, I turned to see Yang, struggling to pull her Bumblebee out of the snow; she was clearly pissed, and I can't say I don't blame her...

Me: So... how did you guys derail?

Yang: *annoyed* That stupid Grimm fired a damn fireball at the tracks destroying them and causing us to crash! This is just GREAT! We're stranded, *pulls* we lost a third of our party, *pulls* And we've gained- *pulls* -a defensive old lady!

She gave Bumblebee one last pull causing her to lose her grip and fall over, while Bumblebee fell back over into its snow. I sighed and walked over to her before offering my hand to her. She took it and slowly stood before I leaned Bumblebee back up on its two wheels.

Old Lady: My name is Maria Calavera! And I am NOT defenseless! I'm just a little hard of hearing and blind without my eyes... that are in desperate need of repair... *taps goggle-like eyes, causing them to spazz out slightly* Okay, I'm starting to see you point...

Artemis: Well that was... I don't know anymore...

Qrow: Yang, knock it off will ya? If we lose our cool now, we'll just be inviting even more Grimm.

Blake: Does that even matter? Apparently we've been attracting Grimm ever since we left Haven *glances at Oscar*

Me: *shaking head* Oh boy...

Yang: Oh and how could I forget about that? *turns to Oscar* What happened to "no more lies and half truths"

Artemis: To be fair, he didn't lied, just didn't say much-

Yang scowled at Artemis, forcing her to shut up while I just sighed...

Artemis: Alright, alright, shutting up now.

Oscar: I think it's time we got an explanation...

Oscar's eyes glowed as he handed Ozpin the controls; he began frowning.

Ozpin: Artemis is correct, I did not lie to you.

Artemis: Told ya...

Weiss: Well, you certainly didn't tell us everything about the Relic.

Ozpin: Please, now is not the time-

Yang: No! We're past that! I wanna know why you're still not telling us everything!

Ozpin just stared at her silently, until I spoke.

Me: *sigh* Oz... just tell us... please... We want to at least know what we're working with.

Ozpin pondered before sighing.

Ozpin: It is true that the Grimm are attracted to the Relics. It's faint, but undeniable. I believe it has to do with their origin but I'm not entirely sure... Regardless, I feared that making you all aware would only add anxiety and negativity. It seemed like the safer option.

Weiss: You know, I'm getting real tired of people choosing what's best for me.

Yang: Is that why you chose to lie to everyone about Lionheart too?

Ozpin: Yes, as a matter of fact, I believed the Kingdom of Mistral deserved better than the truth. And I believed Leonardo deserved to be remembered for his lifetime of service and not for the unfortunate missteps he made in his final years.

Okay, now I started to get pissed...

Me: Missteps...!? That "man"... got MY father killed, the only blood family I had left until Neo reappeared... and took the lives of multiple Huntsmen and Huntresses and you just address all of that... as Missteps?? Who knows, he probably got my mom and Summer Rose killed too!

Ozpin: What Professor Lionheart did was reprehensible. I am not here to argue differently, but does one lapse in judgment truly negate all of his good? Dairoku, you should understand that, seeing as your sister was one a criminal.

I just looked away from him, clenching my fists.

Ozpin: Do we all not have regrets? You may have met Professor Lionheart but you never met the man he was before Salem found him.

Yang: Look, we're supposed to be in this together. You can trust us! We're not gonna turn our backs on you-

Ozpin: Do you really thing Leo was the first!?

Everyone became quite and slightly shocked at Ozpin's sudden outburst.

Ozpin: ...That he didn't say those exact same words to me!?... I'm sorry, but you have to understand that my behaviors are backed by experience. I'm not saying that I have reason to think you will betray me, I'm saying that I have reasons for the things that I do, the secrets I keep, the reason I- *looks around noticing something* Where's the Relic?

Kuraime: Over here.

We turned around to see Ruby and Kuraime coming over to us, the former holding the lamp.

Ruby: It got scattered in the crash.

Ozpin: *holds hand out to her expectantly* Please, hand it over...

Ruby hesitated before Kuraime began speaking.

Kuraime: So... all those times you talked about having faith in humanity... that was just for everything else...?

Ozpin: *sigh* That's not what I meant to suggest... Ms. Silewe, Ms. Rose, the Relic is a powerful item and I simply feel as though it is my burden to bear.

Ruby: But... you said it couldn't do anything right now.

Blake: Why does it matter who carries it?

Artemis: *sighs and mumbles* Ozpin... you're screwed...

Ozpin: I need you to listen to me-

Ozpin reached his hand out again before suddenly stopping in place... seemingly struggling...

Qrow: Oz?

Oscar: Hurry... H-He's... trying to stop you!

Me: Oscar!? For what!?

Oscar: He's afraid... you'll find out what he's... hiding!

Oscar collapsed to the ground, causing everyone besides Ruby to tense up.

Oscar: Her name... is Jinn... Say her name... to summon her...

Artemis: Oh no... This is going... downhill real fast for you Ozzy boy...

The spiked tip of Akouo Sins popped out of my gauntlet as I got on the defensive and stood in front of Ruby and Kuraime. Ruby looked at the Relic, seeing it glow brightly before coming to a decision...

Ruby: Jinn?

Suddenly, the snow stopped falling, revealing each particles suspended in midair... We all looked around confused and shocked...

Qrow: What...

Me: ...The hell...?

Ruby then let go of the Relic as it began floating by itself before it began ejecting a blue smoke that rose up into the sky. We all backed away slightly from it, looking up as the smoke formed into a... uh... very... nude blue woman with golden chains over her body... Qrow and I looked away, embarrassed as she stretched and... uh...moaned...

Nude Woman: Wonderful! *turns to us* Tell me, what knowledge do you seek?

. . .

Yang: What... just happened...?

Me: A nude woman formed from the lamp; that's what happened Yang.

Nude Woman: *giggles* I am Jinn, a being created by the God of Light to aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. I've been graced with the ability to answer three questions every one hundred years. You're in luck, as I am still able to answer-

Ozpin: That's enough!

We all, including Jinn, looked over to Ozpin, who was on his knees.

Jinn: -Two questions this era. *smiles* It's a pleasure seeing you again old man. *looks at me and Artemis* And it's a pleasure seeing you here Artemis. Is that young man you're host?

Artemis: Likewise Jinn and no. He's the host of my elder sister but currently, she not around. She asked me to babysit these bunch of kids and the old guys.

Jinn: *giggles* I see, that sounds exactly like her. *looks at me* A pleasure meeting you Vessel of Barbatos.

Me: Umm... Nice meeting you too...?

Then we looked back at Ozpin.

Ozpin: Ruby... Kuraime... Please... Don't.

Qrow: Hey-

Qrow tried to do something but Weiss, Yang and Blake aimed their weapons at him... This... just began to tick me off... I walked over to Qrow, the claw of Barbatos forming on my left hand before grabbing the blade of Weiss' Myrtenaster and forcing it down, while giving all of them, including Qrow a serious glare. I sighed and looked back at two reapers next to Jinn... I carefully nodded to them as Ruby and Kuraime looked at me, before looking at Ozpin who looked desperate and angry. Then they exchanged glances before nodding to each other.

Ruby and Kuraime: Jinn... *turns around to meet Jinn* What is Ozpin hiding from us?

Ozpin: NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Ozpin just got up and lunged directly at the two. My Barbatos wings activated before I rushed over to them and stood in front of them, ready, the two hiding behind me but them... Everything turned white... and Ruby, Kuraime, Artemis were all standing next to me... Yang, Blake, Weiss, Qrow and Ozpin were all nowhere to be found... in fact... nothing was around us...

Me: What the hell??

Kuraime: What is this??

Ruby: Weiss!? Yang!?

Me: Artemis, do you know what's happening?

Artemis: I do... I want you all to listen and carefully pay attention to what's about to happen?

Kuraime: What do you mean...? What's happening?

Artemis: You're... about to see the past... Of me... Athena... the gods... Ozpin... and...

Suddenly, we heard Jinn's voice as the white space around us began to change into a path that led to a... towering castle...

"Once upon a time, there stood a lonely tower, that sheltered a lonely girl..."

The scene then changed to that of a room inside the tower, where a rather beautiful blonde woman sat in front of a dresser, looking sad...

"Named Salem"

Ruby: E-Eh...!?

Kuraime: W...What...!?

Dairoku: That's Salem...!?

Artemis: That's right...

"YOU CAN'T."
CHAPTER 2: THE LOST FABLE

(Dairoku's POV)

Ruby, Kuraime and I looked at 'Salem' in complete disbelief as Artemis crossed her arms. Jinn then continued with the story.

"Locked away by her cruel father, Salem was a girl who desired but one thing; freedom."

She got up and began walking towards us, passing right through Kuraime, causing her to tense up.

"She lived in a time when Kings and their Kingdoms were plentiful, when men and women were capable of greatness, and magic was a gift from the gods that all could wield"

She sat down and leaned against the vanity, holding out her left hand as magical spears began hovering above her hand.

"And yet, there she sat within her tower..."

Salem looked down before the scene hanged, taking us outside the castle.

"Until one day, a legendary hero came to brave the challenges within the tower's walls..."

A young man in silver and blue armor was shown walking towards the tower, holding a staff/cane.

"The people of the lands knew him as Ozma."

Ruby, Kuraime and I looked at him, shocked...

Dairoku: Oz...???

Ruby: That's Ozpin!?

"Unlike those who had come before, this warrior was not driven by the prize of the young maiden at hand. He fought for righteousness, and his pure heart and courageous soul prevailed."

Ozpi- err.. Oz-MA walked up to the tower as other warriors around him fell. The scene changed again to show Ozma striking down an armored guy, using his staff. He opened the door, revealing Salem, smiling at him. The scene changed again to show them using their magic to fight their way out of the tower.

"They escaped the wretched fortress and yet, something bound them together."

The scene changed again so show the two running away from the tower, hand in hand... They both stopped to catch their breath, before looking at each other.

"Ozma had been ready to give his life for justice countless times, but now saw a woman worth saving it for. And Salem, to her surprise, found her freedom not in the outside world she had yearned for, but in the eyes of the man that had saved her."

Salem: So, where should we go now?

Ozma offered his hand to her.

Ozma: Wherever you'd like.

"The two fell deeply in love, planned adventures around the world and lived happily ever after... Or at least that's what should have been..."

The scene changed again, this time showing Salem kneeing next to a bed that had Ozma... lying unconscious in it... She held his hand while sobbing...

Ruby: Oh no...

"Ozma, the infallible hero of legend, fell ill... And where all the beasts and blades of the world had fallen short, a single sickness prevailed."

Ozma's body disintegrated into a puff of blue smoke, leaving Salem to her loneness... I felt my hand being tightly squeezed... I looked over to see Ruby looking at me with a sad expression... I guess seeing this made her think back to after the Fall of Beacon when I was in that coma... and she probably was thinking about if I suddenly was taken from her... I tightly gripped her hand back, giving her reassuring look, which she happily returned. Kuraime... just stared blankly at the scene as Salem continued sobbing.

Salem: How could the gods let this happen...?

We looked up, seeing a golden and a purple sphere rotate around each other while rising.

"The gods, brothers of Light and Darkness, Creation and Destruction. Salem prayed they would see the injustice that had befallen her love and make things right."

The orbs joined together before the scene changed again, to Salem in a... mystical land, holding Ozma's staff and a bouquet of flowers as she approached a mystical stairway.

"The Domain of Light was a sacred place..."

Salem gently rested the flowers at the base of the staircase before proceeding up it, clutching onto Ozma's staff tightly.

"It was here the elder brother and his Dragon of Sacred Energy... Hera, The Dragon of Creation or what she was referred to by the residents of the world, Athena, The Spirit of Wisdom and her beastly side, Barbatos, The Beast of Vengeance, dwelled beside their fountain of life. It was here... where mankind would fall to ruin"

My thoughts: Hera...?

The scene changed again, showing Salem at the top of the stairs, within the Domain of Light, an valley filled with golden flowers everywhere and a tree, blooming golden flowers stood in the middle with a sacred lake surrounding it... And around that tree... was a blue leviathan-like dragon with golden eyes and a large blue mane...

Me: Is that... Athena...?

Artemis: It is, partner.

Ruby, Kuraime and I continued to stare at Athena in her sacred and gorgeous from... Then, from the lake, a golden horned humanoid figure rose up and stood directly on the water as Athena opened an eye to look at both her creator and Salem.

Salem: Please... Please, bring him back to me...

Light: I understand your pain, but you demand of me that which I cannot make so. Life and Death are part of a delicate balance.

Salem: So... you won't do it then?

Light: To disrupt the cycle of-

Salem: But that's not fair... THAT'S NOT FAIR!

Her voice echoed throughout the domain, causing Athena to lift her head up and let out an annoyed growl...

Light: Let. Him. Rest.

The wind picked up as Athena roared loudly, causing the entire domain to shake while the God of Light glowed brightly, sending Salem back to the base of the stairs...

https://youtu.be/ADnyDJCatb4

Boy... I'm glad I didn't piss off Athena... I didn't even know she was capable of getting angry, though, she did get cold towards Leo... Salem looked down at Ozma's staff before looking up, now pissed...

Salem: No.

The scene changed again, this time to an area littered with skeletons and darkness...

"The God of Darkness... None dared to enter the home of him and his Three Headed Dragon of Corrupted Power... Leto, The Dragon of Destruction or what she was referred to by the residents of the world, Artemis, The Spirit of Chastity and her beastly side, Bale, The Beast of Spite, as man knew what monstrosities emerged from their blackened pools of annihilation."

Salem walked forward towards a blackened pool of darkness.

Artemis: Welcome to my humble abode.

Just as she said that, the familiar roar was heard. She looked up, seeing a golden three headed dragon with twin tails and bat-like wings drop down from the sky before landing in front of Salem, shaking the entire realm. Artemis' wings then folded in as it leaned on its "arms" its center head roaring directly in Salem's face, causing her to step back in fear.

https://youtu.be/vB4-6BpeCVU

My thoughts: Talk about a bad breath...

Artemis telepathically: I heard that!

My thoughts: S-Sorry!

"And so you must understand the Dark Lord's surprise when he found a loan woman, kneeing before him."

A twitchy and twisty figure rose from the pool as the sounds of bones snapping was heard. He crawled out of the pool, while slowly and... painfully standing up straight. I saw and heard Ruby groans of disgust as she winced and hid slightly behind my wing at the God's twitchiness. The Grimm and Artemis surrounded Salem as she got on her knees and began addressing the God.

"Salem understood it well. She told him of her lost and professed that she knew only he could answer her prayers, all while careful to make no mention of his elder"

Darkness: Rise child, and let your faith in me be rewarded.

Salem rose up from her position as the God of Darkness formed a purple spear. Ozma then suddenly appeared on the ground... Salem approached him as he suddenly gasped and awakened.

Ozma: Where am i!? What is this!? WHERE AM I!?

He was very panicked but Salem kneeled next to him and smiled happily.

Salem: It's okay! Everything's going to be okay!

Kuraime: Was it though...?

Suddenly, the sound of thunder and a familiar faint roar was heard...

Ruby: Guess not...

We all turned around to see The God of Light with Athena floating by his side...

Light: What have you done?

Darkness: I've done what I please, brother. You may bask in the powers of creation, but you do not own them.

Artemis walked on all fours to the side of her creator before her right head roared at Athena, who growled in response.

https://youtu.be/HfItsgmQaMU

Light: This is not creation.

Darkness: Do not lecture me!

The Grimm began to surround the God of Light and Athena.

Light: I will do what I must to maintain order.

The God of Light rose his hand up as a golden aura formed around Ozma, disintegrating him. Salem looked mortified at Athena looked away, saddened.

Salem: No! NO! What did you do!? BRING HIM BACK!

Darkness: You dare enter my domain and show such disrespect!

He made Ozma's body reappear.

Salem: Ozma!

Light: I am abiding by the rules WE agreed upon!

Darkness: Rules that I now see are ever in YOUR favor! And yet the day a mortal comes to pray at my feet before your own, so do you arrive to lay your judgment upon me!

The two brothers began approaching each other, the God of Darkness twitching and twisting as he transformed in to a hellish winged, quadruped dragon form that snarled at the God of Light. Artemis than stood up straight on her hind legs, fully raising and extending her wings to the maximum wingspan to size up The God of Light and Athena.

The Grimm charged the God of Light, forcing him to produce a bright white light that forced all the Grimm to disintegrate... similar to what Ruby did at Haven... As the light died down, it revealed the God of Light in the form of a celestial golden wingless dragon, with Athena floating next to him. She then roared a loud and long roar at Artemis, who returned with a long multi-segmented roar of herself.

https://youtu.be/QnQ-ecP37Kc

https://youtu.be/8mrbHfVTTBU

Light: I know we have our differences, but Hera and I have not come here to control either of you. The same, however, cannot be said for her. *looks at Salem who is clinging onto Ozma* This woman came to you only after I denied her pleas, pleas that would have disrupted the balance that you and I created; together.

Artemis looked at her creator who was in a pondering state. Then he looked back to his elder.

Darkness: Then it seems I owe you an apology. Allow me to correct my mistake.

Salem: NO!

He reared back before spitting out a purple streak of flame at Salem and Ozma, disintegrating the latter.

Me: Man... that's... fucked up...

Kuraime: Yeah...

Salem: You... You MONSTERS! GIVE HIM BACK TO ME! GIVE HIM BACK!!

She activated her magic but suddenly, the God of Light rushed towards her... Suddenly, she awoke seeing herself falling through the sky and into the Pool of Life... She rose back to the top and began coughing before looking up to see the Gods of Light and Darkness in their humanoid forms with Athena and Artemis standing next to their respective creators.

Light: When you first came to me, I did pity you... But it is clear now that your selfishness and arrogance have led you astray.

Salem: What did you do to me...?

Light: I have made you immortal.

Salem: Immortal...?

Darkness: You cannot die. You cannot be with your beloved.

Gods: So long as this world turns, you shall walk its face.

Salem looked at them, in disbelief.

Light: You must learn the importance of Life and Death. Only then may you rest.

Salem tried reaching out to them, only to have them suddenly teleported to an open field with an overcast sky...

"Salem was a prisoner once again. Her fruitless attempts to have herself reunited with her lover eventually became nothing more than acts of spite and defiance against the gods"

The scene changed back to a room where we saw Salem pick up a sword and looked at it... My eyes widen as she shoved the blade into her stomach, at an attempted suicide... Ruby gasped, putting her hands over her mouth as I shielded her eyes from the horrific sight and Kuraime flinched slightly.

"But perhaps the gods were not as powerful as they seemed... She had lied to them, turned them against one another, they... were fallible. If she were to turn humanity against Light, Darkness and their two guardian beasts, she could rid herself of their curse, or at the very least... she could make them suffer"

Out of anger, Salem threw the sword towards Kuraime who flinched in response. I quickly got in front of her to try and block it but... it just phased right through us as the scene changed again... this time a Surprised King as an axe covered in blood was tossed onto the ground.

"Salem travelled from one Kingdom to another, telling tales of how she stole immortality from the gods, welcomed any swordsman to cut her down and demonstrated her powers all. With the kings and queens in awe, she pulled them deeper into her scheme. She painted them pictures of a time when they would no longer have to watch their loved ones wither and die, when they could claim the powers of their creators for themselves, and in turn perfect their own design."

Salem finished her story telling before kneeing in front of a king who unsheathed his sword and roared a rally cry, his subordinate following suit. The scene then changed to hundreds of people wielding weapons storming up the stairs that led to the Domain of Light.

"All they needed to do was destroy their old masters."

The God of Light in his dragon form flew out of the Pool of Life as Athena unwrapped herself from the tree and both hovered in front of the army. Athena then let out a mighty roar at them, but they didn't budge.

https://youtu.be/JkUQ6s4mrWw

"The gods had hoped that Salem learned from her eternal curse, and she did... She learned that the hearts of men are easily swayed."

The God of Darkness in his dragon form along with Artemis both dropped down from the sky and next to their light counterparts, both roaring at the army as well and again, they didn't budge.

https://youtu.be/vB4-6BpeCVU

Light: Who has led you down this path?

No one answered as Salem walked through the crowd and faced the four dragons. She glared at them at Athena and Artemis hissed at her.

Darkness: YOU...!

Salem then yelled as she and everyone behind her threw magical attacks at the gods, only for the younger brother to catch them all into a purple sphere in his claw like it was nothing. The army and Salem all stared in disbelief that their attack failed.

Darkness: My own gift to them... used against me.

The God of Light looked away in disappointment as Athena looked down in sadness. The God of Darkness then crushed the ball of magic in his claw, creating a large pillar or raw energy that expanded across the entire planet, wiping everyone... well, except for Salem...

Salem: No... no...

Darkness: You thought there was no greater punishment we could bestow upon you?

Salem: I'll come back... I'll tell the rest of the world of this massacre! Build a new army!!

Darkness: You do not understand. There is no one left. You are all that remains of humanity.

Salem's eyes widen in horror and shock.

Light: This planet... was a beautiful experiment... But it is merely a Remnant of what is once was. We will learn from this failure. I hope that you will learn from your.

Ruby: Remnant...?

Me: I guess that's how our planet got its name...

Artemis: Indeed.

Athena looked down saddened as she and her creator disintegrated into golden/blue particles.

Salem: No! You can't leave! You can't leave!!! COME BACK!!!

Darkness: Still demanding things of your creators...

Artemis and her creator disappeared into a purple and gold pillar of energy that skyrocketed all the way, through the atmosphere and to the moon, which became shattered like it is now... Pieces of the now broken moon fell to the planet in a blaze as Salem fell to her knees and let out a yell of agony and rage...

Kuraime: The moon...!

Me: What... What the hell is this...?

Ruby: This... all happened...?

"Once again, Salem was alone..."

The scene changed to Salem wandering the now abandoned world on her lonesome...

"She cursed the gods... She cursed the universe. She cursed everything, everything but herself. She wandered the face of the planet, awaiting a death that would never come..."

The scene changed again, this time to Salem wandering towards the Grimm Pool in the Land of Darkness.

"Until fate led her to back to the Land of Darkness. This was it. This had to be it, the brother's Grimm, the pools of black that continued to give rise to horrific nightmares. If the Fountain of Life granted her immortality, then surely, the Pools of Grimm will finally take it away."

She leapt into the Pool of Grimm...

"She was wrong... This force of pure destruction could not destroy beings of infinite life."

Suddenly, Salem began to seemingly be attacked by some form of force...

"Instead, it created a being of infinite life with a desire for pure destruction."

Salem then rose up from the pool, revealing her hair and skin to be completely white, the sclera of her eye black and her irises a blood red... Kuraime clenched her fists seeing the image, before growling in a vengeful tone...

Kuraime: Salem...

"And in time, she would find her adversary"

The scene then changed into a white voice, where Ozma laid dormant...

???: Ozma...

He slowly awakened to see the God of Light reappear in front of him.

Ozma: Where are we?

Light: We are between realms. I'm afraid a tragedy has befallen your home at the hands of my brother. We have chosen to depart this world, but in our absence, I would like to offer you the chance to return to it.

Ozma: I... don't understand...

Light: Mankind is no more, yet your world remains. And in time you kind will grow to walk its face once again. However, without our presence, they will be but a fraction of what they once were.

Then he held his hands out as four object conjure in front of him... A Staff, a Sword, a Crown and A Lamp...

Me: Those are...

Ruby and Kuraime: They four relics...?

Light: Creation, Destruction, Choice and Knowledge were the ideals upon which humanity was made...

Then all of a sudden, two familiar roars were heard as two mythical beasts dropped down from behind the God of Light; Athena and Artemis...

Light: Hera, The Dragon of Creation and Leto, The Dragon of Destruction, two halves of an original being... When my brother and I had created them, they were merged into a single entity but as time went on, two distinctive personalities were created... *gestures towards Athena* Athena, The Spirit of Wisdom and *gestures to Artemis* Artemis, The Spirit of Chastity.

The four Relics combined into a light orb while Athena and Artemis moved closer to each other before becoming one, engulfing everything in a bright light... After shielding our eyes from it, the light died down, only to reveal a massive "armored" quadruped, four headed, winged dragon...

Light: Zeus, The Dragon of All... Now I leave them behind with the hope that you will learn to remake yourselves. If brought together, these four Relics will summon my brother and I back to your world, and humanity will be judged. If your kind has learned to live in harmony with one another and set aside their differences and if the Dragons reformed to their merged state, then we shall once again live among you, and humanity will be made hole again. But... If your kind is unchanged, if you demand our blessings while fighting among yourselves and if the Dragons remain separated, then man will be found irredeemable and your world will be wiped from existence.

Ruby: W-What...?

I just gritted my teeth...

Light: Until your task is complete, you will reincarnate, but in a manner that ensures you are never alone.

Ozma just fell to his knees...

Ozma: I'm sorry, but... that world just isn't as dear to me without her... If I may, I'd rather return to the afterlife to see Salem.

Light: You will not find her there.

Ozma: *shocked* You mean she isn't gone...?

Light: Salem lives, but the woman you hold dear in your memories is gone. Heed this warning... where you seek comfort, you will only find pain. So will you-

Ozma: I'll do it.

The God of Light raised his eyebrow.

Light: Very well, Our creations rest within your hands.

Athena and Artemis... or... Zeus let out a mighty roar as the God of Light disappeared.

https://youtu.be/d5dhLcsdh_4

(That roar)

"And so Ozma was reborn."

The scene changed to Ozma in a reincarnated form, standing with a pitchfork stabbed into a Beowolf. He looked around at his surroundings and his new body as people ran away from the hoarding Grimm.

Ozma: Where am I?

Ozma then turned to see a man with a sword, fending off against a Beowolf which knocked him on the ground and the sword out of his hand. Ozma ran over to the man, taking the sword before stabbing the Beowolf, disintegrating it into black particles.

Man: *relieved* Thank you! Please, tell me your name! Who are you?

Instead of answering like the man asked, Ozma just threw the sword to the ground and looked at himself... The scene changed again, showing Ozma walking down a street while Faunus were locked in cages and Dust Crystals were up on sale. I clenched my fists, seeing the Faunus locked up but a small and soft sensation on my fist caused me to ease up; Ruby was thankfully calming me down...

"Ozma had found themselves in a world completely unfamiliar to them. Cities looked different, creatures known as Faunus bore fangs and claws and were locked away in cages and without the blessing of the gods, no one could perform magic like mankind was once capable of... no one but him and the woman known as... The Witch."

The scene changed to Ozma approaching a broken down cottage.

"During his years of travel, he heard the same frightened whispers that spoke of a terrifying sorcerer who commanded dark powers in the wilds among the beasts and monsters. He was convinced that this witch was Salem and decided he needed to see what she had become."

Ozma stood in front of the cottage as the door creaked open, revealing Salem wearing a black robe. Initially, she glared angrily upon seeing his face again...

"Call is magic or call it something stronger, but in that moment, they both knew exactly who it was that stood before them."

They both walked towards each other before smiling and joining hands.

Ozma: What do we do now?

Salem: Whatever we like.

The scene changed to a time laps which showed the old cottage, slowly becoming refurnished.

"As the two recounted the events which had brought them back together, each withheld parts of their story. Salem fearing that Ozma would reject her, blamed the end of the world on the gods. Ozma, still unsure of where the truth lay, kept their task, the Relics and the Mythical Beasts a secret. Though time passed and all seemed well, Ozma's conversation with the God of Light still lingered in his mind. He had found happiness, but humanity seemed more divided than ever before."

Salem: Are you surprised? This world is quite literally godless. These humans have no one to guide them. Perhaps that's all they need.

Ozma: What are you saying?

Salem: We could become the gods of this world. Our powers surpass all others. Our souls transcend death. We can mold theses lands into whatever we want, what you want, create the paradise that the old gods could not.

Ozma seemed... reluctant but ultimately smiled in agreement.

"The hearts of men... are easily swayed."

The scene changed to a village being attacked by a Giant Nevermore when suddenly, a purple aura surrounded it as it twisted and folded in an unnatural way... Ruby and Kuraime cringed for seeing this... Soon enough, the Nevermore disintegrated into black dust as Ozma and Salem rose up into the air, their hands joined together. The villagers saw them and immediately began to bow down to them before the scene changed two statues of the Wizard and the Witch.

"The two amassed a following. That following grew into a prosperous kingdom. And at the head of that kingdom blossomed... a family..."

The scene then changed to Ozma and Salem watching their four daughters, all suspicious dressed in colors that represented the four seasons run around and play... The scene changed again, this time to show Salem smirking at some conflict through a crystal ball while Ozma stood by a window, looking out of it.

Ozma: Are we sure this is right?

Salem: You said we needed to bring Humanity together. In order to do that, we have to spread our word and destroy those who deny it.

Ozma looked shocked before looking back at his reflection in the window...

Ozma: *to himself* What are we doing...? *looks at Salem* This isn't what he asked of me...

Salem: What did you say?   

The door opened to reveal, their eldest daughter, the one wearing the winter clothing excitedly run over to her parents.

Eldest Daughter: Mother! Father! Look!

She then conjured a display of magic within her palm as Salem watched with a once shocked expression before transitioning to a proud one while Ozma just dawned a serious expression.

"It was a miracle, their children could perform magic. But what should have been a joyous occasions was short lived."

The scene then changed to something... strangely ominous... Salem was back at the Land of Darkness... by herself... oddly performing some sort of witch craft upon a Grimm Pool before stepping back as it glowed ominously...

Salem: Rise my Son to serve by my side for eternity!

As she chanted that, a humanoid figure rose from the pool... My eyes widen immediately, when the figure was revealed... White Grimm Armor with glowing red engravings... a misty black cloak that seemed to have a mind of its own... A beastly glowing red mouth on the helmet as it breathed in and out... I looked to Kuraime who was equally as shaken up as she remembered who that was... Ruby on the other hand looked... amazed and... slightly scared...

Kuraime: I-Is... t-that who... w-we think it... i-is....???

Ruby: *tilting head* Dairoku? Kuraime?

Me: Y-Yea... It... It is... Kuraime...

I immediately took notice of a tight grip on my free arm... I glance over to see Kuraime holing it as tight if not tighter that Ruby was holding my other... I just gripped her hand back while still holding onto Ruby's... Kuraime and I... both knew who this was... I'm just glad... Celeste isn't here...

Ruby: Guys, what's wrong??

Artemis: It's him...

Ruby: Who!??

Out of options, Ruby looked back to the story as the humanoid Grimm kneeled before its creator as its glowed and black smoke released from its mouth as it exhaled... I could already tell Kuraime was thinking the same thing as me...

Kuraime and My thoughts: Malak... The Hunter...

The scene then changed to Ozma and Salem having a conversation, mostly about what Ozma's true goal was.

"Ozma told Salem everything, the true reason the God of Light had brought him back, the Relics that they scattered around the world, the two Mythical Beasts resting in hibernation across the world, awaiting to be awakened and the day of judgment he had been told to prepare for."

Salem: Don't you see? None of that matters anymore. Why spend our lives trying to redeem these humans when we can replace them with what they could never be?"

She offered his hand to her but Ozma hesitates before backing away. The scene changed again, this time showing Ozma with his Staff, escorting his four daughters quietly through the castle until...

Youngest Daughter: Mommy?

They looked over to see... an unpleased Salem standing at the end of the room, menacingly and next to her... stood Malak, in a knightly positioned with his sword stabbing the ground. Ozma stood in front of his daughters in a protective manor as Salem moved in front of Malak to confront her "dear". She scowled before launching a red beam of magic at Ozma who retaliates by launching a green beam of magic at her, causing them to collide and explode. We looked on in horror and shocked at the raging battle that sent green and red flashing lights throughout the castle; heck even Artemis was... surprised... The daughters were eventually caught in the crossfire before the entire castle collapsed on itself and Grimm rallied around it...

The scene the panned away from the youngest daughter's teddy bear as Ozma weakly crawled on the ground, leaving a trail of his own blood before Salem stomped on his chest.

Salem: We finally had freedom...

Ozma: I-

Salem: NO! *exhales* Malak, end him. Now.

Malak: Yes mother.

Malak walked over to the downed wizard as Salem walked away before stomping on his chest.

Ozma: Please... Malak... You don't have to-

He was cut off as Malak shoved the edge of his blade into Ozma's chest causing him to gasp for air before he left his sword there and walked away. As he got farther and farther, the sword glowed red before erupting in a pillar of hellish flames, disintegrating Ozma's body... I could feel Kuraime shaking within my hand, causing me to grip her hand and Ruby's hand even tighter.

"Thus began a long and painful cycle of death and rebirth for Ozma"

The scene changed, showing multiple reincarnations of Ozma, a weak old man and another as a drunkard...

"Some lives were spent in mourning, many were spent attempting to forget it all. But no matter what, his mind would eventually turn back to the task he had been burdened with."

Ozma's newest reincarnation was shown, serving food to his family of a wife and two children but then I realized something...

Me: Their eyes... They're...

Ruby looked and gasped in shock as well...

Ruby: ...both silver...

"And as the centuries went on, Ozma began to learn the importance of living with the souls with which he had been paired."

The sound of horrified screams were heard before he rushed out with his cane, the Long Memory...

"But no matter where or how he live, her presence was always left. If humanity were able to stand a chance at being united, one thing was clear..."

Ruby and Kuraime: He had to destroy Salem...

Several years later, Ozma's form was shown tinkering with The Long Memory, adding extra gears into it.

"Knowing he could never rid the world of her through any mortal means, Ozma sought out the power of the Relics"

He collapsed the cane before locking it into a safe... Then it opened to reveal his next reincarnation who took the cane...

"Armed with my knowledge, he believed he could fulfill his promise to the God of Light."

Ozma held the Relic of Knowledge as Blake, Weiss and Yang joined by our side...

Ozma: Where are the other Relics and the Mythical Beasts?

"He asked his questions..."

Ozma: What powers do they possess?

"And though I gave him my answers..."

Ozma: How do I destroy Salem?

"...Not all of them were to his liking"

Jinn: You can't.

Everyone including Artemis reacted with shocked and mortified expressions while Yang closed her eyes in anger... I let go of Kuraime and Ruby's hands and turned my back, closing my eyes and balling up my fists as I felt the rage building up... Ozma behind me dropped to his knees in hopelessness as everything reverted back to normal, revealing Ozpin on his knees in sadness...

END
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Okay, I hated writing this chapter but it's done! Anyways, see y'all in the next one.