Chapter 8: Mistral
"All rise for the holy Ketor."
Ozma opened his eyes to see himself surrounded by dozens of people standing up. But...this didn't make sense. The last thing he remembered was being in Lisa Amitola's village, helping them fight. But he saw no soldiers and heard no fighting. His environment looked...peaceful. This wasn't right.
"What are you doing?" a man to his left asked him. "Stand up, we're about to start."
"What?" Ozma asked. The man's only response was grabbing his arm and getting him on his feet. Ozma got a chance to look around. He could see that he was in a row of other people and there were more rows in front and behind him. When he looked ahead of him, he could see a bald man in black robes walking towards some kind of altar. Setting his cane on the side, he raised his arms and addressed the people.
"The Lord be with you." he said.
"And also with you." everyone around him said.
Ozma suddenly understood. He had been to places like this when he worshipped the Brothers with friends of his. This place, it was some kind of church. And the robed man was leading them in worship.
"Let us lift up our voices to the Lord."
Everyone suddenly lowered their heads. Ozma lowered his head as well. The priest began to speak.
"Lord, we are aware of your struggles. We know you seek to protect your children, human or Faunus. Our glorious kingdom of Mistral was afraid to hear of your presence at first, but you have shown us the light. We now know why you choose to let this war against the kingdoms of Vale and Vacuo continue, and know that we lift up our voices in our full support..."
Ozma's head jerked up. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Innocent people were dying in Vacuo, but this man didn't seem to care. That's when Ozma saw a giant statue behind him. The statue was of a man raising his hands to the sky, with Faunus kneeled at his feet. And the statue was wearing a very familiar mask.
"...in support of your promise of power and glory to those who serve you. In Lord Momin's name, we pray. Amen."
"Amen." the congregation said.
"You may be seated."
Everyone sat down except for Ozma. He was in complete shock. These people, whoever they were, had created some kind of religion that worshipped Momin. That supported the murders that he was responsible for. The situation was too much for him, Ozma had to leave. He tried to get by the man who made him stand up earlier, but he wouldn't move. He looked up at Ozma.
"Going somewhere?" he asked.
"Please, let me by." Ozma requested, but the man wouldn't move.
"Hey, what's your problem?" he asked, his tone getting deeper.
"I can't be here." Ozma said, gasping for breath. Pushing the man out of the way, he ran to the door. Everyone turned to him, unsure of why someone would want to leave their congregation.
The priest turned around. "Brother, where are you going?" he called out. His question fell on deaf ears as Ozma opened the door and continued to run. Everyone turned to the person next to them and whispered among themselves. The priest called out to them.
"Brothers and sisters, please calm yourselves." the voices fell silent as they looked to their leader. "It seems our friend isn't feeling very well. Not to worry, let us continue." he turned around to take a book behind him, but he whispered to a man standing by the book before returning to the altar.
"Find him." he ordered.
"Yes, Ketor Cornello." the man left and the priest known as 'Cornello' returned to his altar.
"Now, I'd like to start today with a reading from the Codex."
Ozma stopped running as he entered a small building. Panting for breath, he sat down at a table. He needed to collect his thoughts.
First off, how was he here? And why was he...different? When he was in Vacuo, he saw that he had a body with a tan complexion and pale blonde hair. However, he had left the church...changed. He passed by a mirror while running and his reflection was a white face with brown hair and a goatee. He was somehow in a new body.
That's when Ozma remembered what happened in Vacuo. The blast from that Demon hit his chest. He remembered feeling pain and his surroundings turning to black. He must have...died. Then he remembered what the God of Light told him. He would reincarnate in a way that ensured he was never alone. Now, it seemed he had a new body. So, he couldn't...actually die until his mission was complete. But this was good. He could fail a thousand times but still come back and continue to fight.
"Are you alright, sir?"
Ozma looked up to see a woman with purple eyes and red hair looking back at him.
"Um...yes. I'm fine, thank you." he replied.
Strange. His body had changed, but his voice was still the same.
"Are you sure?" she asked. "You look awfully pale. Can I get you something? Water perhaps?"
"...Water would be fine, thank you."
The red haired woman returned with a glass of water for Ozma. He took a sip and she walked away. He returned to his thoughts. Now he was thinking of the cult he just ran away from. Those people were worshipping Momin, calling him their 'Lord.' How could they worship someone who wanted to expand the Grimm across Remnant? Clearly, they had lost their minds.
But...Ozma remembered what the priest had said. About their 'glorious kingdom of Mistral.' When Ozma first...died, he was in a place called 'Vacuo.' So, was it possible that the people here didn't know what was going on? How Momin was killing people just to achieve his plans?
No. That priest mentioned how he supported the war in Vacuo and a place called 'Vale.' The people in that church understood what he was doing, and they had his support. But this had to stop. He needed to find Momin. But more importantly, he had to find Salem.
He was removed from these thoughts when he saw the woman who gave him the water kneeling. She was also pressing her hands together. Ozma got up and walked over to her. "Ma'am, are you alright?"
She looked up to him. "Oh, yes. Don't worry, I was just saying my prayers."
Ozma froze in place. She was...praying? Does that mean what he thought it meant?
"Do you mean...praying to...?"
"Lord Momin?" she asked, standing up. "Of course. Who else would I pray to?"
It was clear she knew nothing about the Brothers. It seemed Momin had suppressed them. Ozma couldn't understand how these people could worship someone as dark and twisted as Momin. Could he be controlling them out of fear, or was their faith genuine? Time to find out.
"What exactly were you...praying for?" he asked.
The woman stood up. "Well, it was actually to give thanks. Lord Momin has made the kingdom of Mistral safe for a long time now."
"Safe?"
"Of course. Ever since we were made aware of his presence, the Grimm have left Mistral alone. We've been...hold on. You're asking this like you don't know about it."
Ozma tried to think of something to say. "Well...I-"
"And why aren't you at Ketor Cornello's service?"
"I...um?"
The woman put her hands over her mouth. "Oh no. You're one of them, aren't you?"
Ozma was confused by her accusation. "I'm sorry, one of who?"
She backed away. "Stay back!" she looked out the door and yelled. "Help! Someone help!"
Ozma quickly ran up to her. "No, I'm not going to hurt you! I'm not from here, that's why I asked."
She turned back to him. "...What do you mean you're not from here?"
Ozma was able to think of a lie very quickly. "I'm from Vale. I escaped the war and came here. I heard Mistral was safe, I just didn't know about this...religion."
Before the woman could respond, two people in very familiar armor came through the door. One looked at Ozma and turned back to the woman. "Rose, what's wrong?"
The second trooper looked at Ozma. "Is this man trying to hurt you?"
Rose spoke to the first trooper. "No, no. I'm sorry, there's been a mistake."
"A mistake?" the first one asked.
"Guys, I'm really sorry." Rose said. It seemed she knew these people. "I thought he was working for...you-know-who, but I was just being paranoid."
"...Alright then." the first trooper said.
"Take it easy, Rose." the second one said as they walked out the door.
Rose turned back to Ozma. "I'm sorry about that. I get...scared easily."
Ozma sighed. "It's fine. I probably...should have opened with that."
"So, you escaped from Vale? That means...you don't know much about Mistral then."
"No, I'm afraid not." Ozma replied. "Do you think...you could help me catch up on the situation here?"
Rose smiled. "Of course. Why don't you sit down, Mr...?"
"My name's Ozma." he replied.
After spending an hour with Rose, Ozma decided to leave her little diner. He didn't know where he would go, his thoughts were more concerned about what Rose shared with him. It seems she was right about the Grimm situation in Mistral.
This religion started when a man named Cornello came to Mistral, spreading stories about a man named Momin who had the ability to control Grimm. Not long after he came, the Grimm started to leave Mistral and its people alone. People started to believe Cornello, and their faith grew stronger when a large Grimm was drawn away from the kingdom. People could see a man flying in its place and Cornello identified him as Momin. They immediately began to worship him and the faith spread across the entire kingdom. Cornello wrote a special book called the Codex that spread teachings of unity and faith in Momin and his work. In return, Momin would keep Mistral safe and Grimm free.
The only people who did not follow him were the people in the capital of the kingdom, where the king ruled. It seemed his lack of faith was caused by a woman named Joan Arc, also known as Joan of Arc. Joan was one of the kingdom's finest soldiers, and for some reason chose not to follow Momin. As a response, the capital city closed itself from the rest of the kingdom.
Ozma could think of a few good reasons why Momin was doing this. First off, it was possible he sent Grimm away from Mistral to fight in his war. Before he 'died', Lisa told Ozma that the Demons were known to travel with Grimm when they attacked other parts of Vacuo. It was possible that Momin was using them as reinforcements in other kingdoms. As for Mistral, Ozma could sense a kind of strategy here. Rather than bloodshed, Momin was conquering Mistral through faith. Rose told him everyone except the capital followed the religion, so he was nearly complete in unifying Mistral. He read a certain phrase in a book called The Art of War when the first race of man was still alive, and it applied to his situation: "Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence. Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's defenses without fighting."
This made the most sense. Momin had broken Mistral's defenses by using religion rather than bloodshed. And it seemed it would only be a matter of time before the capital city fell. This was bad.
He knew he would have to put a stop to this. But first, he needed to get to the Land of Darkness. He needed to find Salem. Maybe they could work together, use their Magic against Momin. But first, he would find an inn to spend the night and make a plan.
This idea, however, came to a halt when a blow to the head knocked Ozma unconscious.
"Wakey, wakey."
Ozma began to open his eyes and he saw that he was in a small room. He tried to move, but his arms were strapped to the chair he was sitting in. He looked up to see the priest from earlier staring back at him.
"Wha..what's going on?" he asked.
"You're in trouble, my boy." Cornello responded. "That's what's going on."
Ozma tried to break the straps, but they were too tight. Seems that the priest didn't want him going anywhere. So, he decided to let his Magic help him. It wasn't as strong without his staff, but he was still capable of using it. So, he made his hands glow a soft green and waited for the straps to lose their strength.
Ozma spoke again. "Why are you doing this?" he asked. "I haven't done anything wrong."
"Oh, I disagree." Cornello argued. "I knew there was something off about you, when you ran out of my church."
"...I'm sorry about that." he began. "I'm not from around here, I'm new to your...religion."
"Is that right?"
"Yes, I'm from Vale. I escaped the fighting there."
"He's lying." a deep voice from behind Ozma spoke. A large bearded man with red hair came out from behind Ozma, smelling him. His nose was...different from most people, it looked like a dog's nose.
"I don't need your nose to tell me that, Rover." Cornello smiled. "The fear you had on your face when you ran out said...different things about you. And that poor man you shoved aside said he's seen you around here for a while. You're not from Vale."
Ozma knew he had been caught in his lie. Cornello was right; he was in trouble.
"So, you gonna tell us the truth now?" Cornello asked.
"I have nothing to say to you." Ozma defiantly claimed.
Cornello smiled at this. "That's fine. You'll have plenty to say once she gets here."
"She?" Ozma asked.
Before Cornello could reply, everyone heard a knock at the door.
"Ah, right on time." Cornello said with a smile as Rover opened the door. Standing on the other side was a blue eyed woman with beautiful white hair that went past her shoulders. She was wearing a gray uniform, heeled boots and a gray hat with a black symbol. It looked like the vizor on Momin's mask.
"General Blanca, it's a pleasure to see you again." Cornello greeted the woman as he kissed her hand.
"Ketor Cornello, always the gentleman." the woman said with a smile. She looked at Ozma and walked closer. Grabbing his chin, she got a closer look at him. "This is the one you told me about, Rover?"
"Yes, General." Rover answered. "We caught him in a lie before you came. He knows things."
"I see." Blanca replied. "You may leave, I'll handle the interrogation."
Cornello left, but Rover remained. "Ma'am, I can help you tell if he's lying or not."
Blanca turned to him. "Now where's the fun in that?" she asked with a smile. She turned back to Ozma. "It's not too late, handsome. The Ketor isn't very friendly, but maybe we could get to know each other." Ozma could hear what sounded like a purr as she rubbed her hand on his face. It was clear she was trying to seduce him.
Ozma felt his straps break and he grabbed Blanca's throat. Rover was about to grab Ozma, but he put Blanca in a headlock before he got any closer.
"Like I told your friend, I have nothing to tell you." Ozma said to the General.
Instead of resisting the grip, Blanca relaxed in it and laughed. "Looks like we will be having fun after all."
She reached to her leg and pulled out a small bottle. Raising it to Ozma's face, she pressed the top and a spray came out. Ozma suddenly grew tired, and he fell asleep.
Ozma woke up, feeling that his hands were tied in rope. He could feel his arms stretched out so he couldn't bring his hands together. Another thing he noticed was General Blanca staring at him. Ozma tried to stand up, but he felt a sharp pain in his feet. It was as if...something was pressed in each foot, restricting movement.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Blanca said, twirling a hammer in her hand. She had nailed his feet to the ground.
"What do you want?" Ozma asked her.
"Straight to the point then." she said, coming closer. Taking off her hat, Blanca revealed a set of cat ears on her head. "Cornello and Rover told me that you tried to lie your way out of your situation. Rover was right. You do know some things."
"About?"
"Joan Arc."
"...I don't know her."
Blanca smiled. Taking her right hand, five claws appeared where her nails used to be and she slashed at his chest. Ozma grunted in pain.
"See what lying to me does?" she asked with a grin. "So, go ahead. Lie again. I'm begging you."
Ozma looked up from his chest. "I don't know anything about Joan Arc."
Blanca laughed. It seems she was happy about his answer. Walking to a table, she came back with a pair of pliers.
"You know, I love hearing those three little words." she went to his right hand. Then Blanca dug the pliers into one of his fingernails.
Ozma screamed in pain. It only got worse when she pulled. His fingernail was torn off.
Blanca pulled out two more and Ozma continued to scream. She walked back to his face holding the fingernails.
"I. Don't. Know." she said, pointing to one nail as she spoke. "Those three little words make my job so much fun."
Ozma was growing furious. Whoever this woman was, she was one sadistic freak.
"Anything you want to tell me now?" she asked. Ozma's response was spitting in her face. Her smile dropped and she slapped him.
"You know, that hand of yours is ruined now." Blanca reached for her belt and took a long metal cylinder off it. "Just ruined."
Pressing a button, a blue blade appeared and she swung the weapon. The blade cut Ozma's arm off. He screamed at the top of his lungs and dropped his head.
"That's right." Blanca said. "It burns, doesn't it? Now, I'm going to give you one last chance."
Bringing the blade close to Ozma's throat, she demanded information again. "Tell me what you know of Joan Arc."
"...No...nothing." Ozma weakly said, still feeling pain from her lightsaber attack. He expected her to swing the blade again. Instead, the blue light retracted. Blanca opened a door behind her. Inside came Rover, and he leaned close to Ozma and sniffed. He turned back to the general.
"He wasn't lying." he said.
"Ugh." Blanca grunted in annoyance. "So this was a waste of time, then?"
"Actually, my dear..." Cornello came inside the room. "I think I can find some use for him."
The next day
"In Lord Momin's name, we pray. Amen." Ketor Cornello finished his opening.
"Amen." the congregation said.
"You may be seated."
As the congregation sat down, Cornello spoke again.
"I'd like to start today with some news. I'm sure you all remember our friend who ran away from yesterday's service? Now, there are some people in this town who unfortunately cannot come to my services. Rose Thomas, for example, is too busy keeping her family's diner from closing. But she is one of the most devout souls I have ever met. Our friend from yesterday, however, is not like Ms. Thomas. He did not accept the ways of our Lord. I later found out he was a spy for none other than Joan Arc."
Everyone in the congregation gasped and talked among themselves, surprised at this 'revelation.'
"I share your concerns, brothers and sisters. But I assure you, he has been caught and has confessed. It was through the help of our own charismatic, talented, lovely General Blanca, that he is brought before you today."
General Blanca walked up to the altar with a broken and beaten Ozma, with his mouth gagged. She made him kneel next to the Ketor.
"As the Ketor of this church, I uphold the ways of our great Lord, which is written in the Codex. The Codex tells us not only to recognize our enemies, but to also show them mercy. Lord Momin teaches us that any soul has the potential to be saved, and it is up to all of us to save this man."
Picking him up, Blanca took Ozma to a chair and strapped him in. The chair suddenly began to rise, a chain on the back was pulling him up.
"The Codex tells us how to see if one is truly worthy of salvation. In order to do this, a test must be conducted."
A panel opened under Ozma's chair, which revealed a large hole filled with water.
"This man will be placed and held under the water for a certain amount of time. When that time is elapsed, he will be raised."
Ozma understood what was happening. This was no 'test,' they were going to drown him. The chair lowered until it was just above the water.
"If he lives, our Lord has shown him mercy. If he dies, he is beyond salvation."
Before the chair lowered into the water, Blanca walked up to Ozma with a grin. "Good luck." she said as she kissed his cheek.
The chair fell into the water.
The people could see bubbles coming out and could hear struggling in the water.
Cornello stared at the water.
Blanca had a wide smile on her face as Ozma's pain and fear gave her an intense pleasure.
After a minute, the bubbles disappeared and the thrashing stopped.
The Ketor decided to give him another minute before pulling him out, in case he was holding his breath. After the chair was pulled out, Blanca checked his pulse. She turned back to Cornello and shook her head. Ozma had died once again.
"What a pity." the Ketor said as he pretended to dry tears from his eyes. Blanca and Rover took the body away as the service continued.
"Brothers and sisters, I take no pleasure in this man's death. I truly hoped I could save him, but our Lord in his infinite wisdom disagreed. But I want you to know, I will not give up on any of you or the people of our great kingdom. Now...let us pray."
Author's notes: well, this was certainly a dark chapter. The world Ozma once knew has certainly changed for the worse. Hope you enjoyed this one, sorry if it was a little TOO dark for you.
To Legend Knight 00, glad you like Ozma coming back.
To Ser Dorito of Aisle 13, the quote was "the democratization of fear."
To 54godamora, this is only about Remnant, I'm sorry.
To ParadoxTheory374, you have a good point about protagonists and antagonists. Also, when the protagonist wins, it can sometimes come at a great cost. Sometimes, they don't really live 'happily ever after.'
To D.N Works, Ozma died so he could see Mistral and he will soon see Vale. And you're right, his deaths and reincarnations will indeed be a problem for Momin. I'm glad you liked Ilia's ancestor, I was worried about how people would react after one of my readers didn't really like Taurus. Thank you for your support.
To GojiraFan455515, you'll have to wait and see what happens.
To an unknown guest, the judgement day thing only counts for Remnant.
To BrutusPrimus, thank you very much! Hope you like this one!
To another unknown guest, Ozma can use Magic, you're right. But it's important he knows his enemy, with the blasters and such. And he could fight with his Magic when the Demons returned, but the people needed to learn to fight for themselves as well. And you may have seen me mention how his staff can amplify his Magic.
To firesale988, the Old Republic will not be used here, but the Jedi will be. You'll see later on.
Anyways, that's all I have for you. Hope you enjoyed, please review!