Tanith suspects the bump to her head was more severe then it lets on.

Elster continues to ponder how she reached a point in her life where a giant blue naked lady could tell her that- not only were the Gods real but were also pathetic excuses for deities, Salem being a grieving immortal witch cursed by the Gods because they're assholes, Ozpin tricked into being an immortal wizard because the Gods were assholes, magic was real and a thing people used to be able to do until they couldn't, that humanity was wiped out but then resurfaced through presumably asexual reproduction? (Wasn't really clear?)- but also not immediately try and find the asylum the woman had escaped from or checked to see if drugs had been snuck into whatever she'd last eaten.

Also there's a farm with bodies who died in their sleep and the groups all like 'let's sleep here' and Tanith's all like 'wtf we're sleeping where people died in their sleep' and everyone's like 'shut up Tanith we're under the control of sleepy bedtime Grimm' and Tanith's like 'what?' And everyone's like 'what?'

Sorry, this was the chapter description I used on ao3 and honestly I was so proud of it that I had to post it.

~§~

Tanith blinked rapidly, still not quite sure if she was actually seeing what was in front of her, meanwhile Elster just stared in shock

"I am Jinn" spoke the woman in a velvet voice "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-"

"That's enough!" Ozpin suddenly shouted as he regained control over Oscar, interrupting the woman who paused to look at him with an amused look.

Jinn rose an eyebrow and continued as if she hadn't been interrupted "... two questions this era" Tanith blinked while Elster frowned. Elster remembered Ozpin telling them that the relic was useless for the moment, that it had no questions they could use. Jinn then chuckled "It's a pleasure to see you again, old man"

Ozpin ignored her as he looked to Ruby "Ruby, please... Don't" he begged

Qrow glanced at Ozpin, and then stepped forward.

"Hey-"

Elster tensed as Yang, Weiss and Blake got into defensive positions, as if ready to fight Qrow while Ruby just stared at them in disbelief

Qrow held his hands up in surprise "Do whatever you think is right, kiddo" he relented.

Ruby frowned and looked down, seemingly in deep thought "Jinn?" She Said, turning to face the woman while Ozpin bared his teeth.

"What is Ozpin hiding from us?"

"NOOOOOOO!"

Elster shot up, not sure what she could do as Ozpin lunged for Ruby, his hand reaching forward-

She gasped as she was suddenly in a white space, Elster looked around the space rapidly.

"Tanith! Tanith!" She called desperately, looking around her.

"Once upon a time" said Jinn's voice as a massive field littered with weapons and knight armour materialised around her "there stood a lonely tower..."

A massive castle manifested.

Elster stared before whispering "what the fuck"

~§~

Tanith looked around her wide eyed and panicking.

"What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck" she repeated in a mantra as she awkwardly climbed and swayed on her feet "E-Elster! Elster please!"

"Once upon a time" said Jinn's voice as a massive field littered with weapons and knight armour materialised around her "there stood a lonely tower..."

Tanith looked at the massive castle being manifested and sighed, rubbing her forehead "this is what happens when I crash in a train huh?"

"That sheltered a lonely girl"

Tanith found herself in a bedroom and facing a blonde haired woman with ice blue eyes.

"Named Salem"

"Oh" said Tanith numbly, staring at the woman who was currently trying to kill her and everyone she knew.

~§~

Elster stared at the woman, she stared at Salem.

This was the woman she wanted to kill.

She looked so normal, so innocent.

Looking at her made her all the more conflicted about her feelings, she didn't look like the monster she had envisioned, the heartless beast that she was on a quest to slay. She was just a woman.

~§~

Tanith heard the humming in the background as Salem was teleported through blue smoke to the window, looking out wistfully.

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

"Wow, how original" commented Tanith.

The fantasy paused and Jinn appeared with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow "are you going to comment on everything?"

Tanith crossed her arms "look lady, this entire situation is ridiculous. You're essentially a magic genie and you're currently telling me of events millennia ago that I can't even comprehend that apparently actually happened, so forgive me if my coping mechanism is to find the comedy in everything"

Jinn's lips quirked upwards "well, you certainly speak your mind"

Tanith shrugged "honestly it's a shame Elster isn't here to bear witness to it"

Jinn quirked a brow "and would this 'Elster' help to keep you in line?"

"Definitely, she's never failed before" Tanith lied.

A moment later Elster suddenly popped into existence, looking around and then rushing over to her "Tanith!"

"Elster!" Tanith exclaimed as Elster brought her into a hug.

"Are you okay, are you injured or-" Elster worriedly questioned, her hands patting Tanith's body.

"I'm fine Elster, now I think Jinn would like to continue the story" she said looking at Jinn who was staring at them amused.

Elster patted her down some more and only turned to look at Jinn once she was satisfied she wasn't injured and then stood up straighter "then she can"

Jinn nodded "thank you, now where was I…"

"Cliché princess"

Jinn chuckled and faded away and Tanith elbowed Elster "I think there's also a strict no touching in the theatre rule, so keep your hands to yourself missy"

Elster snorted and rolled her eyes.

Salem stopped her looking suddenly and walked away, passing between them to sit down and lean against a table looking at the ceiling

"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" said Jinn as if that made perfect sense.

Salem held out her hand and the couple watched in awe as four magical spheres with a magic circle in six basic colours appeared hovering above her hand.

"Holy shit" whispered Tanith as Elster stared transfixed and sorely missing her camera.

"And yet, there she sat within her tower"

Blue smoke took over the scene and they were back in the field, looking up at the large castle that she inhabited.

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

A young man appeared, dark skinned with brown hair and green eyes that looked very familiar. He wore a cape and was dressed in metal armour.

"The people of the lands knew him as Ozma"

They both stared at Ozpin (they weren't stupid they could put two and two together).

"Y'know, considering his age he actually aged pretty well" commented Tanith.

Elster snorted and nudged her "stop, this is very serious"

"Oh yes, this male power fantasy is very serious" agreed Tanith with a nod.

"C'mon your missing the story"

"-He fought only for righteousness, and his pure heart and courageous soul prevailed"

Ozpin began to walk toward the tower, people appearing and falling around him in apparent battle. Then the blue smoke changed the scene to that of inside a grand room, Ozpin fighting a figure in black armour. Then Ozpin was kicking down the door to Salem's room, Salem standing and smiling as they then fought their way out of the castle.

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

Ozpin and Salem ran away from the castle, stopping to catch their breath and looking at each other.

"Oh my god, they're gonna bang aren't they?" Asked Tanith.

"Maybe if your listened to the story" said Jinn, patience in her voice.

Tanith held her hands up as a sign for Jinn to continue

"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"

"So, where should we go now?" Asked Salem, it was the first time either of them had heard it. For Elster it was a shock that her voice was so… normal.

Ozpin offered his hand "Wherever you'd like"

"M'lady" murmured Tanith miming tipping a hat and Elster lightly elbowed her.

"The two fell deeply in love, planned adventures around the world, and lived happily ever after"

Smoke enveloped the environment and turned it white.

"Roll credits?"

"Or at least that's what should have been"

"Nope"

Smoke then reformed the scene showing Salem kneeling at an unconscious Ozpin's bedside. Salem holds Ozpin's hand and can be heard sobbing.

"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"

Ozpin turned to smoke and Salem held his scepter in her hands as she sobbed. Meanwhile Tanith tried to hold in her laughter.

Elster rose an eyebrow at her.

"A fucking… a fucking bacteria killed him!" Exclaimed Tanith and the story froze around them as she laughed "the infallible Ozma! Killed by the common cold!" She crowed as she laughed and Elster chuckled along at her slightly delirious girlfriend. It wasn't that funny.

Jinn crossed her arms "it was a fungus actually, you aren't taking this seriously at all!" She said as she frowned.

"C'mon, that's fucking hilarious!" Argued Tanith.

"He died and left behind a grieving widow"

Tanith waved her hand "This was ages ago, it's fine"

Jinn stared before sighing "I see modern humans have become a lot more… cold"

Tanith finally calmed down and coughed "look, this is completely ridiculous and fascinating, please continue and accept my humblest apologies" Tanith said with a bow and then wobbled before looking up with a wink "and me and Elster could show ya a good time later-"

Elster covered her mouth and patted her head "forgive her, she suffered a head injury from a train crash. I'll keep her under control"

Jinn narrowed her eyes before fading away, the scene fading to smoke as Salem's voice could be heard saying.

"How could the gods let this happen?"

Two glowing spheres, one of gold and one of dark purple appeared before them, circling around them slowly.

"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"

Tanith finally broke free of Elster's hold and looked at the orbs "Wait the gods are real?"

The orbs spun rapidly and then smashed together, the flash fading g to reveal a beautiful mountain rang around them and stairs leading up.

"The Domain of Light was a sacred place"

Salem approached the stairway, offering flowers. She holds Ozpin's scepter in her hand.

"It was here the elder brother dwelled beside his fountain of life and creation. It was here... where mankind would fall to ruin"

The scene changed to inside a crater, beautiful yellow flowers filling the space with a stone path leading to a pool with a tree towards the back. The water flowed with an unnatural quality as Salem approached the pool. Tanith and Elster were both entranced as a golden figure with antlers rose from the waters depths and walked forward.

"Woah Woah Woah, There's a god? There's a higher being that just… exists?" Questioned Tanith in shock.

"Well clearly he's very ignorant of current events" muttered Elster with a sneer.

Tanith out a hand to her head "oh god should I have been praying?" Then she gasped and put a hand to her mouth "I shouldn't of used the lords name in vain!"

Jinn appeared and looked at them flatly "the gods do not care for such things"

Tanith breath a sigh of relief "of thank fuck"

The scene resumed with Salem falling to her knees and begging "Please... Please, bring him back to me"

The god stared before speaking with no mouth "I understand your pain, but you demand of me that which I cannot make so. Life and death are part of a delicate balance"

"So... you won't do it then?" Said Salem.

"To disrupt the cycle of-"

"But that's not fair... That's not fair!" Salem Shouted her voice echoing around them.

Elster found herself sympathising with Salem, able to understand the pain that losing a loved one brought you. She glanced at Tanith and then grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze. Tanith looked back at her and flashed a smile, squeezing back before getting wrapped back up in the story.

The god stared at Salem before sternly stating "Let. Him. Rest"

The wind picked up, causing leaves to blow around Salem. Suddenly, they found themselves back at the bottom of the stairway leading to the Domain of Light. Salem looked to Ozpin's scepter in her hands before looking up angrily.

"No"

Blue smoke transitioned the scene again, this time showing a dark, foreboding environment with a stairway leading up the mountain, similarly mirroring that of the Domain of Light's.

"The God of Darkness…"

Salem approached some skeletal remains at the bottom of the stairs.

"Homey" murmured Elster.

"Is this a Halloween clearance sale?" Questioned Tanith and Elster smiled.

"None dare to enter his home, as men knew what monstrosities emerged from his blackened pools of annihilation"

They were in a pit, black sludge surrounded by purple rock and shadowed by a red sky. Elster watched in curiosity and shock as a Beowulf crawled from the black ooze and shook itself off.

"And so you must understand the Dark Lord's surprise when he found a lone woman kneeling before him"

From the sludge pool, the God of Darkness emerges, his body twisted and contorted.

"Edgy as fuck" muttered Tanith putting her shaking head in her hand "this is who I was almost sacrificed to?"

The God of Darkness crawls toward Salem in it's unnatural position.

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

The dark god gestured "Rise, child, and let your faith in me be rewarded"

Salem rose from her knees. The God of Darkness then conjures a purple sphere, and from it, Ozpin's body appears. Salem approaches him, and Ozma gasps back to life.

"Where am I? What is this?! WHERE AM I?!" He shouted in panic

Salem smiled down at him "It's okay! Everything's going to be okay!"

Elster stared wide eyed. Salem had just gotten Ozpin back by asking the brother of dark. Maybe she could-

She shook her head. No. Her teammates were dead and there was no changing something like that, while she understood Salem's pain she also understood that she needed to move on and let them rest.

Tanith saw the shake of Elster's head to nothing, saw the conflict in her eyes and squeezed her hand, Elster glanced at her and shot her a sad smile, squeezing back.

Suddenly, the God of Light appeared with a sound of thunder at the top of the stairs leading into the God of Darkness' domain.

The god of light's voice had an angry tone as he cried "What have you done?"

"I have done what I please, brother" snapped the other god "You may bask in the powers of creation, but you do not own them"

"This is not creation" said the light god in disgust.

"Do not lecture me!"

"I will do what I must to maintain order" said the light god regretfully.

The God of Light raised his arm and an orange aura surrounds Ozma's body, before he disintegrated in Salem's arms to both Elster and Tanith's horror, their hands tightening on the other.

"No! No! What did you do?! BRING HIM BACK!" Screamed Salem in outrage.

"You dare enter my domain and show such disrespect!" Shouted the dark god as he raised his arm.

Ozpin reappeared and Salem cling to him with a cry of "Ozma!"

"I am abiding by the rules we agreed upon!" Countered the light god.

"Rules that I now see are ever in your favor" growled the dark god "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 God of Darkness transformed into a nightmarish, dragon-like form that snarled at the God of Light.

"Wow, the god of dark has a fursona… or I guess a scalesona" Tanith muttered trying to give some lightness to the tense situation.

"He's an edgy bastard alright" grunted Elster

The Grimm proceeded forward and attempted to attack the god of light, but a bright light emanates from him, destroying all the Grimm in the area. He transformed into a bright, beautiful oriental-looking dragon.

"Ah! Fursona bros" Said Tanith with a barked laugh.

"I know we have our differences, but I have not come here with the aim to control you. The same, however, cannot be said for her. This woman came to you only after I denied her pleas – pleas that would have disrupted the balance that you and I created. Together" explained the light god.

The dark god paused at this, before then bowing his head "Then it seems I owe you an apology. Allow me to correct my mistake"

"No!" Salem Shouted desperately.

The God of Darkness fired a purple beam from his dragon mouth, disintegrating Ozpin once again. Salem watched as Ozpin's ashes blow away out of her hands while Elster and Tanith stare in horror again, having just watched this grieving woman have her lover repeatedly given and taken away like a doll in some schoolyard fight.

Salem shook her head before screaming "You… You monsters! Give him back to me! GIVE HIM BACK!"

Salem went to cast magic, but the god of light rushed toward her.

Then Tanith and Elster were falling through the air with Salem who was now screaming. For Elster falling through the sky was an occupational hazard that she'd done various times while Tanith had run plenty of parachuting drill in the Atlas military.

They stopped just above the god of lights pool as Salem was submerged. Then they stood at the top of the stairs leading up to the pool, Salem catching her breath as she lay on the floor with the two brother gods staring down at her.

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

Elster frowned "but… she's just grieving, what does he mean led her astray? She's just hurt"

Salem stood up and looked at her arms that shimmered (in what Elster thought looked suspiciously like aura) "What did you do to me?"

"I have made you immortal"

"Immortal?"

"You cannot die. You cannot be with your beloved"

Elster looked on in shock while Tanith scowled.

"So long as this world turns, you shall walk its face" they said in unison as Salem stared in disbelief

"What a pair of cunts!" Shouted Elster in outrage.

"Absolute dickbags!" Agreed Tanith

"If you two are quite done" drawled Jinn.

Elster shook her head and ground her teeth "she's a grieving woman, and you…" words weren't able to describe her anger at that moment. Tanith looked at her, able to sense the rage and sorrow and shuffled over to her, giving her a hug.

Elster happily returned it as the scene continued.

"You must learn the importance of life and death. Only then may you rest"

Salem reached out, horror on her face and in her eyes. Then they found themselves in an open field in the middle of nowhere.

"Salem was a prisoner once again. Her fruitless attempts to reunite with Ozma eventually became nothing more than acts of spite and defiance against the gods"

Tanith and Elster watched as Salem stabbed herself with a sword, she stared down at it dully in apparent boredom and annoyance before drawing it out, watching the wound heal.

"Wait Wait Wait a second, it's just fucking registered" Said Tanith suddenly "she's immortal… how the hell are we supposed to kill her?"

Elster blinked and then frowned, apparently just having realised that as well.

"But perhaps the gods were not as powerful as they seemed… She had lied to them, turned them against one another, they… were fallible"

Salem looked at the castle in the distance.

"If she were to turn humanity against light and darkness, she could rid herself of their curse, or at the very least… she could make them suffer"

"Ooh boy- oh shit!" Tanith instinctively shielded her self as the sword headed directly for her, though it disappeared into a puff of smoke. Looking up she saw that Elster's arm had been held in front of her, but it lowered as the smoke changed the scene.

Now the scene was of a great hall and a king standing, a bloodied axe being tossed to 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"

Salem was talking with the king and as Jinn co to used to talk the surroundings and people slowly changed to show different kingdoms and different people listening.

"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 kneeled before a tough and savage looking king who stood and cheered, warriors filling the halls and also cheering. The scene disappeared in a puff of smoke.

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

Warriors surged into the god of lights domain and the god himself emerged from his pool in his draconian form.

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

The brother of dark swooped down and slammed onto the ground, wind being thrown up as the two brothers looked down at the armies.

"Who has led you down this path?" Asked the light god in disappointment.

Salem walked to the front of the crowd with a scowl and a glare.

"You..." growled the brother of dark before roaring in outrage.

"Oh boy, I wonder what the being with infinite power will do?" Asked Tanith mockingly.

Salem launched a magical attack and that prompted the rest of the army to launch their own magic attacks. Elster watching in fascination at the array of colours being launched through the air.

The god of dark collected all the magic in his scaled claws and looked at it in disgust "My own gift to them... used against me"

The couple stared wide eyed as the god of dark squeezed his fist and the sphere exploded, spreading out across the globe, watching as cities across the planet were enveloped in the purple light. Then they were back in the god of lights garden, black ash floating in the wind as Salem regenerated in the middle of the path.

"Did they just…" Elster trailed off.

"Wow, just… fucking wow" said Tanith in shock "how fucking pathetic" Tanith began making a jerking off motion "o-oh the h-human aren't jacking us o-off anymore bro, l-let's fucking kill 'em all bro"

"If your quite done being so… crass" said Jinn's voice witheringly.

"No... no..." said Salem as she sat up only to be knocked back by the brother of dark stomping his foot.

"You thought there was no greater punishment we could bestow upon you?" He asked

"I'll come back. I'll tell the rest of the world of this massacre! Build a new army!" She shouted in anger.

"You do not understand" sneered the dark god "There is no one left. You are all that remains of humanity"

Salem was shocked at this revelation, as were Tanith and Elster.

"Soooo, how are we here?" Asked Tanith in confusion "if everyone's dead and Salem's left… can she reproduce asexually?"

Elster rolled her eyes at Tanith's words and lightly elbowed her.

"This planet was a beautiful experiment, but it is merely a remnant of what it once was. We will learn from this failure. I hope that you will learn from yours" Said the God of light, as if speaking about the weather.

The god of light faded as Salem screamed "No! You can't leave! You can't leave! COME BACK!"

The god of dark stood to his full height "Still demanding things of your creators..." it sneered before turning into a beam of dark purple light that shot us and shattered the moon.

"And just when I think they can't be even bigger cunts" sighed Tanith.

"What's absolute assholes" agreed Elster.

Jinn sighed.

Moon fragments rained from the heavens as Salem fell to her knees and screamed in remorse and sorrow.

"Once again, Salem was alone..."

They watched as Salem walked alone. She walked by deer eating grass, abandoned villages that were now inhabited by Grimm.

"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..."

Salem then stood on the edge of an overhanging cliff in the land once inhabited by the God of Darkness. She looked down at the blackened pool below her.

"Until fate led her 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"

Without even pausing she calmly fell off into the black pool.

"I would not do that" winced Tanith as Salem splashed in the sludge below.

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

They watched as Salem was attacked by an unseen force before then being placed on the back of the pool, watching it bubble and ripple.

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

Salem crawled out of the pool but this time she was in a form they both now recognised, watching as she opened her eyes, irises red with black sclerae.

"And in time, she would find her adversary..."

The scene went to a pure white space and the couple looked around, then they saw the only figure present. Ozpin.

"Ozpin you old son of a gun, your wife was fucked" said Tanith and Elster barked a laugh and slapped her arm.

"Try and at least act mature" she lightly scolded.

"You were joking in with me" pointed out Tanith.

"Eh, it was funny" shrugged Elster.

The god of light appeared as Ozpin opened his eyes, the couple both glaring at the god in contempt.

"Ozma"

Ozpin turned to stare at the draconian from of the light god before it transformed into its human form.

"Where am I?" Asked Ozpin,

"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"

"Basically we fucked up and your gonna fix it" muttered Tanith.

"I... don't understand" Said Ozpin in confusion.

"Mankind is no more, yet your world remains. And in time, your kind will grow to walk its face once again"

"How?" Asked the couple simultaneously.

"However-"

"-Or just skip over that yeah sure whatever-"

"-without our presence, they will be but a fraction of what they once were"

Tanith nudged Elster's side with a smirk "you could say… a remnant"

"Why am I… what events lead me here, to this point on my life?" Elster asked sadly.

The god of light opened its arms and four objects (one recognisable) floated in his arms. A staff, a sword, a crown and a lamp.

"Creation, destruction, choice, and knowledge were the ideals upon which humanity was made. Now I leave them behind with the hope that you will learn to remake yourselves" Said the god

The four objects combined into a yellow sphere of energy.

"If brought together, these four Relics will summon my brother and I back to your world, and humanity will be judged"

"Oh yeah, cause the biggest cunts in existence have the right to judge us" muttered Tanith.

"If your kind has learned to live in harmony with one another and set aside their differences, then we shall once again live among you, and humanity will be made whole again"

"Like we want you back?" Asked Elster in confusion

"But if your kind is unchanged, if you demand our blessings while still fighting amongst yourselves, then man will be found irredeemable and your world will be wiped from existence. Until your task is complete, you will reincarnate, but in a manner that ensures you are never alone"

Ozpin fell to his knees with the weight of the responsibility being out upon him that he had to consider. Finally he shook his head "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"

"You will not find her there" replied the god

"I wonder why?" Asked Tanith in a mocking tone as Elster just scowled.

"You mean she isn't gone?" Asked Ozpin.

"Salem lives, but the woman you hold dear in your memories is gone-"

"-We fucked her" interrupted Tanith and the scene paused as they descended into laughter again.

Jinn appeared and looked pissed off as they continued to laugh.

"Do I have to separate you two like immature school children? Or will you behave like adults and take this seriously?"

Tanith coughed and stood up straight with a sheepish expression "I'm sorry, I'll behave, please continue" she said with a respectful bow, Elster blinking at the gesture as she simply nodded her head in agreement.

"Since when do you bow?" Asked Elster in confusion as Jinn disappeared.

"My parents taught me manners" replied Tanith defensively.

"I've never seen you bow before"

"Because the situation never required it and I've never respected anyone I've insulted enough to do so in your presence"

Elster shook her head and turned back to the scene, Tanith sticking her tongue out before focusing back on the scene as well.

"Heed this warning... where you seek comfort, you will only find pain. So, will you-"

"I'll do it" Said Ozpin.

"Well, someone's… eager" Said Elster "He didn't even listen to the gods warning"

"Put yourself in Ozpin's shoes and imagine it's me" Said Tanith.

Elster paused, then nodded slowly as she grabbed Tanith's hand "Okay, Yeah, you got a point"

The God of Light looked surprised at Ozpin's immediate answer. "Very well. Our creation rests within your hands"

"And so Ozma was reborn"

Ozpin reincarnated as a man with pale blonde hair, who had just stabbed a Beowulf with a pitchfork, causing it to disintegrate. Ozpin takes the time to come to terms in his new body and surroundings.

The couple looked around as well to watch the people screaming and running around them into the forest away from a burning village in the distance.

"Where am I?" Asked Ozpin.

Ozpin heard a man scream, and looked over to see him flailing a sword at a Beowulf, which swiped him to the ground, disarming him. Ozpin's previous soul takes over and ran forward, grabbing the man's sword and slaying the Beowulf. The man got back up with a relieved expression.

"Thank you. Please, tell me your name. Who are you?"

Ozpin struggled with an answer before throwing the sword to the ground in horror.

The scene changed with a puff of smoke to a settlement, wooden towers and stone walls with a dark overcast sky overhead. Ozpin walked down a street.

"Ozma had found himself in a world completely unfamiliar to him. Cities looked different. Creatures known as the Faunus wore fangs and claws and were locked away in cages"

The couple looked at the caged faunus in shock and slight disgust before Elster shook her head.

"So wait a minute, not only do we not know how humanity started back up again, but we also don't know where faunus came from"

"Maybe Salem fucked a horse" whispered Tanith before putting hands to her mouth with wide eyes "oh, I'm so sorry Elster that was-"

"-a bit racist yes" agreed Elster nodding.

"Really Elster I wasn't thinking-"

"Hey, don't sweat it" Elster said nudging her shoulder.

Ozpin looked from the cages to the market stalls where a pile of dust crystals of various colours were on display.

"And without the blessing of the gods, no one could perform magic like mankind was once capable of, no one but himself and woman known as... the witch"

The environment around Ozpin changed from the city to a forest as he approached a lonely, dilapidated cottage in the woods.

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

Ozpin stood a distance from the cottage. The front door opened suddenly, and from the darkness beyond, Salem emerged, wearing black robes this time. She gave an angry glare while exiting the cottage, but suddenly, her expression softened upon seeing her visitor. Ozpin likewise smiles back at her.

"Wow, he doesn't even care about… that" said Tanith indicating vaguely.

"I wouldn't" Said Elster amusedly.

Tanith just smiled in response and squeezed her hand, Elster giving a squeeze back.

"Call it magic or call it something stronger, but in that moment, the two knew exactly who it was that stood before them"

Ozpin and Salem walk toward each other, the two hold each other's hands, interlocking their fingers affectionately.

"What do we do now?" Asked Ozpin.

"Fuck" replied Tanith.

"Whatever we like"

"Oh right sex didn't exist back then" Said Tanith in realisation.

"Shut up" chuckled Elster affectionately with a light nudge for the millionth time.

As time passed, the scene showed the cottage changing from its dilapidated state to a much better condition, following with Salem and Ozpin talking with one another at a table on the front porch.

"As Salem and Ozma recounted the events which had brought them back together, each withheld parts of their story. Salem, fearing Ozma would reject her, blamed the end of the world on the gods"

"Well I mean… to be fair, it kinda totally was?" Said Elster.

"Ozma, still unsure of where the truth lay, kept his task and the Relics a secret"

"Because secrets are a great basis for a relationship" Tanith commented dryly.

"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 and Ozpin headed back inside while still talking.

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

"What are you saying?" Asked Ozpin.

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

"I feel like this is a relationship red flag" Elster commented and Tanith snorted.

Ozpin looked conflicted before eventually smiling in agreement with Salem, the two of them looking at each other as Salem placed a hand on his shoulder.

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

The scene changed to a village under attack by a nevermore, it suddenly stops as its surrounded by a purple aura. It bent and folded into unnatural positions before disintegrating. Wearing regal robes was Salem and Ozpin wielding his sceptre rising into the air side by side. People in the town looked on in shock before bowing, two statues appearing before the couple of Ozpin and Salem.

"The two amassed a following. That following grew into a prosperous kingdom"

The scene changed to a castle, a large room with a hung up painting of Ozpin and Salem.

"And at the head of that kingdom blossomed..."

Four girls appeared in the picture as Tanith looked like she'd just received the best gift ever and Elster's eyebrows raised.

"...a family"

"They fucked" whispered Tanith in awe.

Ozpin and Salem watched their daughters playing together, one of them coming up and tugging on Salem's robes and the parents smiled at each other.

The scene changed to inside a different grand room, Salem was smirking into a crystal ball where a massive battle was occurring while Ozpin looked outside a window, troubled.

"Are we sure this is right?" He asked.

Salem looked at him "You said we needed to bring humanity together. In order to do that, we have to spread our word, and destroy those who will deny it"

Ozpin gained a shocked expression on his face upon hearing the words. He turned to see his reflection on the window, which suddenly talked to him.

"What are we doing?"

Ozpin reeled back in horror seeing his reflection ask him that question, briefly becoming his original incarnation, before looking over to Salem.

"This isn't what he asked of me..." he whispered.

"What did you say?"

The door to the room opened and their eldest daughter ran in excitedly.

"Mother, father, look!" She exclaimed and then conjured multicoloured wisps into her hands. Salem looked proud, while Ozpin looked on in surprise, before looking down with his troubled expression again.

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

The scene changed again, the daughter disappearing and the parents stoning further into the room. Ozpin was talking to Salem who was frowning.

"Ozma told Salem everything, the true reason the God of Light had brought him back, the Relics that they scattered around the world, and the day of judgement he had been told to prepare for"

"Don't you see?" Said Salem when Ozpin has finished "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?"

Salem offered her hand out, but Ozpin didn't take it, backing away in disgust. Smoke transitions the scene again showing Ozpin quietly escorting his daughters through the quiet halls. The youngest daughter looked down the hallway, noticing something.

"Mommy?"

Elster and Tanith looked down the hallway at the menacing figure of Salem as Elster's eyes widened in horror at what was about to take place while Tanith looked on sadly.

"And we were on your side" she murmured sadly.

Ozpin protectively stands in front of his daughters. Salem, realising what he's doing, angrily conjured a red beam from her hand. Ozpin uses his sceptre to counter Salem's attack, launching a green beam. Their attacks clash, engulfing the area into a bright white flash.

The couple watch in horror as Ozpin and Salem fought throughout the castle. Their battle causing the castle to collapse and be destroyed in the process.

Elster looked down at a charred plush toy in horror, her body numb as the ruins smoke around her.

"They… she…" she couldn't finish her sentence.

Tanith just gave her hand a squeeze, wanting to comfort her more but watching the scene unfold as well.

Ozpin weakly crawled on the ground, blood trailing with him. Salem then reappears behind him undamaged due to her immortality, and angrily marches over to Ozpin. She kicked him over onto his back and held him down with her foot.

"We finally had freedom..." she growled.

Ozpin looked at her weakly.

"I-"

A blast of fire from Salem engulfs Ozpin, silencing him and incinerating his body.

The couple stared speechless, Tanith having no witty remark for the situation or how it's turned out. Elster just shocked at what Salem had done and thinking of what she would do, her fists curling in anger and sadness that wasn't lost on Tanith.

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

A montage of Ozpin's various reincarnations were shown, a frail man weakly walking by many gravestones, a despondent man walking in the rain taking a long drink from a flask.

"Some lives were spent in mourning, many were spent attempting to forget it all"

Ozpin finally reincarnated as a man with dark skin and glasses, slouching as he walked forward before then standing up straight in determination.

"But no matter what, his mind would eventually turn back to the task he had been burdened with"

The couple found themselves in a house, a table with two kids and a woman eagerly waiting as the newest reincarnation of Ozpin served dinner. Tanith noted the kids silver eyes in interest, remembering seeing them in the god of light.

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

Screaming comes from outside. Ozpin opens the door and watches villagers running around in panic as Grimm attack.

"But no matter where or how he lived, her presence was always felt"

Ozpin looks back to his wife, who nodded in understanding, before going out with a mechanized cane into battle.

"If humanity were ever to stand a chance at being united, one thing was clear..."

Ozpin reincarnation is old now, they watched him fiddle with his mechanised cane in a workshop.

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

The elderly reincarnation then places the cane inside a metal cabinet, closing the door on it. The man leaves the room and as soon as he left a new well dressed man entered and opened the safe, picking up the cane where he last left it in his previous life.

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

Ozpin held the relic of knowledge and Jinn was seen hovering in the air, that amused look on her face again as Ozpin began questioning her.

"Where are the other Relics?"

"He asked me his questions"

"What powers do they possess?"

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

"How do I destroy Salem?"

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

The couple watched as Jinn leaned forward, wondering what the answer was.

"You can't" she said simply.

Both their eyes widened at the proclamation, and the then the scene faded but now instead of the well dressed incarnation it was instead Oscar kneeling on the ground.

Team RWBY looked equal parts angry and shocked at what they had just witnessed, Qrow had clenched his fist with gritted teeth and Maria was blinking her goggles rapidly.

Yang was the first to find her voice "Salem can't be killed... you all heard her too, right?"

Elster clenched her fists, anger coursing through her as she glared at Ozpin while Tanith frowned in disapproval.

Ozpin looked up with tears on his face "I-"

Yang cut him off angrily "There was so much you hadn't told us! How could you think that was okay?!"

Ozpin just lowered his head in shame.

Ruby finally asked "Professor... What is your plan to defeat Salem?"

"I... don't have one..." he admitted finally.

Tanith temporarily forgot to breath as her body went numb, the man they had trusted, had relied on and thought had a plan… didn't have a plan. She felt Elster becoming even more pissed off next to her and anger and outrage was so thick in the air that she was having a hard time discerning who was feeling what.

Then she cried out as Qrow punched Ozpin hard enough to send him flying into a tree.

"What the fuck?!" She exclaimed

Qrow looked down and clenched his fists "No one wanted me... I was cursed... I gave my life to you because you gave me a place in this world... I thought I was finally doing some good..."

"But, you are!" Ozpin cried out desperately.

"Meeting you... was the worst luck of my life…."

Ozpin looked at him in shock and despair before looking down "Maybe you're right..."

Oscar glowed and then hissed as he clutched his cheek, Elster shaking herself from her anger enough to go over and check him,

"You'll be alright" she said with a smile that she wasn't really feeling "you've got aura, that'll heal up real quick"

"What happened?" Asked Ruby in a gentle tone.

"He's... gone" Oscar finally said in confusion.

"That bastard!" Yelled Yang, a complete contrast to her sister "Tell him we're not done yet!"

"No, this is different!" Said Oscar, Tanith feeling his fear and anger "He's gone. It- It's like he's locked himself deep inside my head. Our head?" He held his head with a grunt "I hate this! I want it to stop!"

"He just left us?" Questioned Weiss.

"What are we gonna do now?" Asked Blake

Yang growled in anger and the situation was escalating, Elster standing to try and do something as Tanith watched from the side lines next to Maria when the woman in question suddenly shouted with authority.

"Enough!" That made everyone fall silent as she calmly walked toward Oscar "We need to get move on. It'll be dark before we know it, and every one of you is spewing negativity!" She helped up Oscar with her cane "There's a trail over there, trails usually lead somewhere.

Yang scowled "Lady, I don't know who you think you are but-"

Maria cut her off with a slam of her cane "No buts! I understand that you're upset. Honestly, I'm still coming to terms with the fact that this is humanity's second time around. But, if we don't move, we die. And I'll be damned if I've lived this long just to die out here in the cold!"

"She's right. Come on" Said Ruby.

Tanith sighed as that kicked everyone into action. She looked around herself not sure what to do first and then felt around herself, only having her pistol on her and not her bag.

"Looking for this?" Asked Elster, walking over to her with their bags slung over her body and her shotgun resting on top of it.

"Thanks" grunted Tanith, going to take the bag but Elster only handing her the shotgun "Elster I can carry my bag" she said in exasperation.

"You were in a train crash, likely have a concussion and you have no aura or huntsmen training, I will carry our bags" Said Elster, a tone in her voice leaving no room for argument.

Tanith looked at her before grunting "I did survival training in the military" she mumbled as she turned away and shouldered the gun.

Elster didn't respond and Tanith looked around, seeing Maria on the back of bumblebee along with most of the bags. Oscar looking downtrodden with Ruby next to him looking at her uncle who was walking away and drinking from his flask.

Tanith scowled at the despairing man's back and walked over to the two, placing a comforting hold on Oscar's shoulder "Hey, walk with me and Elster kid" she said, shooting Ruby a quick wink that Oscar wasn't able to see.

Oscar didn't really respond as Ruby flashed him a smile and walked over to be at the front of the group, Elster coming up on Oscar's left.

They walked for almost an hour in silence, the snowy landscape around them not really changing. Every tree looked nearly identical under the snow and Tanith could've sworn that once or twice they were actually just going in circles. And unlike everyone around her (She wasn't sure about Maria, but the woman's nonchalance of the situation (in that typical Hunter fashion) made her suspect) she didn't have an aura, so while everyone around her was protected, Tanith could feel the cold beginning to bit through her defences of clothes and experience of the Atlas climate.

She had also noticed how the wind was steadily increasing along with the snow fall, Qrow having apparently noticed to as he let out a sigh "Doesn't look like this is gonna let up"

"Just wanna get this stupid Relic to Atlas" Blake grumbled

"Let's hope we don't have to walk all the way there" added Weiss

Yang turned her frustrations onto Maria "I thought trails led somewhere" she asked sarcastically

"Do you have nothing better to do than to harass a defenceless old lady?" Shot back Maria, Tanith having to hide the smile that came over her face as Yang huffed.

Ruby suddenly stopped, tilting her head "Everyone, quiet. Do you hear that?"

Everyone stopped and strained their ears, listening through the sound of rustling trees and wind around them. Tanith with her un-aura aided ears was just about able to make out the sound of metal squeaking and creaking.

"Might as well head toward that" said Elster "there's nothing else around"

With patience wearing thin and the snow picking up the group agreed, heading in the noise's direction and quickly finding the source. The creaking was coming from a metal rusted gate leading to a large farm settlement with several houses and sheds. No lights were on, no sign of life at all. Qrow opened the gate and everyone entered looking around warily.

"This place is creepy" Tanith said, feeling like stating the obvious as she looked at a small house they were passing.

"It's where we're staying for the night" was what Qrow grunted back,

She grunted in response, feeling as if she was twitching her head from side to side. She couldn't quite explain it, but she felt a presence, something was around her, around them. She nearly unconsciously shifted closer to Elster.

They walked up to the front door of the largest house as a strong gust suddenly blew past, and as if by magic the storm suddenly intensified around them, heavy snow falling as wind ripped through the air and made wood creak and metal groan.

Qrow banged his fist on the door and they waited for a while. Tanith was used to the cold, she was used to harsh conditions. But she was only in her bomber jacket, a large grey shirt and jeans. She wasn't exactly in preferred clothing for this environment. That's why her hands were beginning to shake and she was beginning to worry a lot less about the feeling of something else being with them.

The huntsmen and huntresses were fine, but she was just a human.

Elster noted her shivering and moved closer to her, providing some warmth while at the same time staying on guard and eyeing their environment suspiciously.

Ruby sighed as she looked at the buildings leading back up to the gate. "I don't get it. The empty towns I've passed through were all damaged or unfinished. But this place looks... fine"

"Maybe everyone left in a hurry. Before things took a turn?" Weiss speculated.

Qrow grunted and tried the handle, finding it locked. He turned his head to look at them.

"Stay on guard"

Then Qrow kicked the door in, with the same movement drawing his sword off his back.

Tanith pulled her handgun from her hip and immediately held it in front of her as she followed the others in, trailing behind Elster who'd stepped in front of her.

It was an empty house.

"Shut the door! It's cold enough as it is!" Grumbled Maria as she entered the house. As soon as she did Blake and Oscar shoved a nearby dresser in front of it.

Tanith released her held breath but when she took a new breath she grimaced, something smelled off. Well, everything about this whole fucking place seemed off.

"That's a god awful smell" she muttered.

"I saw a chimney from the outside. Maybe we could get a fire going?" Offered Blake

"Yes, I can get wood" said Elster, her hand clasping Tanith's shoulder as she walked by.

"Please" Said Weiss "I'll look for some blankets"

"Yang, go with her" Qrow said.

Tanith watched Elster dump bags with Yang at the bottom of the stairs before heading to the back. Tanith looked around before going into the living room, Maria already looking around it in interest.

"Looks like a study. Or, a library?" Called Oscar from whatever room he was in.

Tanith looked at the glass case taking up an entire wall "they certainly liked their books"

"There's nothing wrong with having too many books" said Maria.

"Well I mean, no one really reads the books they decorate their house with" she walked up to the shelves "look, there's Peace and War, no one's ever actually read that book, it's just something you keep around to look smarter then you are"

"I've read it" shot Maria.

"Surrrre you have" Said Tanith turning to look at the woman's narrowed goggles "what's the first line?"

The goggles narrowed further and Maria grumbled under her breath and turned away while shooting off irritation and making Tanith smile in amusement as she looked over more books, murmuring under her breath "well prince…"

Tanith was interrupted from looking at more book covers when they were interrupted by a high pitch scream and a flare of panic and fear from upstairs.

She looked to the hallway and pulled out her gun, quickly walking to the entrance hall and looking up the stairs where Qrow had just run. She followed him up and saw RWBY and Qrow gathered to observe something, she was able to catch sight through the gaggle of bodies the sight of two decomposing corpses and grimaced.

"Oh that's just perfect" she mumbled.

There were heavy footfalls from downstairs and Elster called up "everyone okay?"

"Yeah!" Called back Qrow before looking at Weiss who was still on the floor "well almost"

Tanith turned away and headed back downstairs, entering the living room to see Elster dumping several armfuls of logs by the fire side.

"I didn't need to chop any, they had a shed out back full of them" said Elster looking up at her "Everything okay?"

"Just some bodies, Weiss is a bit on edge right now. Can you get a fire started?" Asked Tanith, still feeling quite cold even within the house.

"Of course I can" said Elster as she piled logs into the fire place and brought out a pinch of fire dust from one of her belt containers.

"I feel like that's cheating" said Tanith.

"Life has no rules" replied Elster.

"What about gravity?"

Elster looked at her, a frown on her features "you seem to be taking all this rather… well?"

"We were literally just in a train crash and given the acid trip of our lives an hour-ish ago, two dead bodies are nothin" Tanith shrugged "not like I knew 'em either"

Elster bobbed her head "fair enough, don't forget probable concussion" then she paused to yawn, shaking her head when she finished and blinking "ugh, I shouldn't feel this tired"

"Old age" said Tanith playfully.

"Hey!" Called Maria.

"Is that fire started yet?" Asked Yang as she walked in, Ruby having an arm wrapped around Weiss's shoulders while Blake carried several blankets in her arms.

"Starting" replied Elster as she activated the pinch of flame dust which instantly lit the logs up, an orange glow filling the room along with heat.

Ruby moved Weiss in front and down as Qrow entered the doorway.

"Me and Elster will search the farm" he said.

"No need for you to, I can do it alone" said Elster as a clone left her body and walked toward the front door.

Qrow just grunted and leaned on the wall, watching the clone clone again and the two replica's push the dresser out the way and step outside. Elster meanwhile contentedly poked the fire with the poker, making sure it remained burning as she added another log. Tanith looked over at Weiss who was still staring at the fire, feeling fear, anxiety and sorrow as the flames danced in her eyes.

"Hey" said Elster suddenly, looking at Weiss "is this your first time seeing a body?"

Weiss blinked before shaking her head "no, battle of beacon"

Elster nodded before giving a sympathetic smile "well, from what I've been told we can guess they died peacefully together. They had each other in their final moments and I imagine they left pretty content in case your scared of any ghosts" said Elster.

While Weiss gave no outward response to the words her shoulders did relax slightly and her knees no longer touched her chin. Then she jumped as Blake draped a blanket over her shoulders to wrap around her body.

Elster frowned but didn't talk for several minutes, continuing to poke the fire and occasionally yawning or accidentally miming opening a door.

"Anything?" Asked Qrow.

"Everyone's dead" said Elster bleakly "they're all at a similar stage of decay, like they all died at once but there's no obvious wounds or attack marks… they all died in bed… like sleeping killed them"

"Then we're not staying here, right?" Said Weiss hopefully.

Qrow shrugged "We don't have a choice. Storm outside's only getting worse. We'd freeze to death before we made it anywhere"

Tanith looked at Elster and quietly asked "Don't you think it's a bad idea to sleep where there are dead people who all… died in their sleep?"

Elster yawned and shrugged "its okay, we'll be fine"

Tanith narrowed her eyes as she watched Blake yawn across the room, Yang scoffed at something Maria had said and Ruby clapped her hands together.

"Okay, then, let's do something. If this place wasn't abandoned it might still have supplies we could use"

"Hey, yeah. Maybe even a car" agreed Oscar, some hope in his voice.

"I think we'd be lucky to find a tractor here" said Tanith

Qrow pushed off from the wall "me and Elster can do a sweep of the grounds" he seemed to have forgotten that Elster was already doing that, probably wanted to get out of the house "No one else goes anywhere alone" he walked toward the door, Elster standing from her kneeling position, flashing Tanith a tired smile and following after him.

"Yang and I can search the other buildings for vehicles" offered Blake standing, a hopeful smile on her face that Tanith did not miss.

Yang huffed and stood up "Fine, whatever gets me out of this house"

Ruby left with them, likely to move the drawer back into place after they left. Weiss stood as well, slowly following after her with e blanket still wrapped around her shoulders. Tanith looked at the fire and placed another log onto the flames

"I'll tell you what. You two keep that fire fed..." said Maria walking up to the book shelves and looking at the spines "... and I'll find us a story to read before bed" she picked out a book and sat down on the couch, beginning to read.

Oscar and Tanith sighed simultaneously.