This week we were mashing up two prompts into one! The two I wrote for were "Ozma and Salem's daughters actually reincarnate like Oz, and the parents don't know it. Write one daughter's PoV (plus host)" and "Salem thought she would never have to turn down someone willing to help. She was very, very wrong."
The Bullhead settled down in the barren wasteland. The sky was dark, and the ground was studded with purple crystals and black pools. The keep lay just ahead, the only structure on the entire continent.
Spring powered down the Bullhead. It had been expensive, but when you could save up money over multiple lifetimes, a lot of things suddenly became more affordable. She stepped off the vehicle, keeping her eyes locked on the keep.
Can I take over for a bit?
"Do you need to?" asked Spring.
You had to fly the Bullhead. I haven't had control since we left.
"You know I'm going to be the one to face her, right?"
I know. I just want to move around for a bit.
"Fine, but be careful. The Grimm are more likely to attack you than me."
With that, Spring allowed India to retake control of her own body. She stretched her arms and back, which were still sore from sitting in the Bullhead for so long. She shook out her legs and began walking towards the keep.
As she moved away from the Bullhead, she could see dark shapes moving out of the corners of her eyes.
Ignore them. Just keep moving.
"They aren't attacking," whispered India.
These ones might never have seen a human before that didn't work for Salem. Add to that the fact that we have magic and it confuses them. They might think that we're a Maiden who works for Salem, or they might just not know what to do.
"All right. Well, you can take over again."
Already?
"Yeah. I wanted to stretch my legs, but this place is creeping me out."
Spring took control again just as they reached the gate of Salem's keep. She lifted her hands and pushed the doors open, spilling the ethereal light of the wastelands into the inky darkness within. Salem stood waiting for her at the end of a long hallway, likely having seen the Bullhead coming. Spring approached until she was close enough to speak and easily be heard.
"Who are you?" demanded Salem. "How did you find this place?"
"Magic," replied the girl. "As for who I am…"
She met Salem's eyes.
"It's me, Spring," she said slowly.
"The Spring Maiden?" asked Salem. A funny suggestion, since Spring thought she might have been the inspiration for the Maidens.
"No, Mother. It's me, Spring."
Salem's eyes widened. Shadows gathered menacingly around her.
"You are not my daughter."
"You're sure of that?" asked Spring. "You're sure you'd recognize me if you saw me? I'm guessing that you can always recognize Father no matter whose face he's wearing. That's because he's fundamentally the same person he always was. I'm not.
"I mean, how could I be? I was a child back then. I hadn't even gone through puberty, let alone adulthood or motherhood. Having a child changes you. Well, not you… but anyone else."
Salem's face hardened at that last part. "You're saying you reincarnated like Ozma. How is that possible?"
"I don't know," replied Spring. "We only got three questions, and there were more important things on our minds. But yeah, the four of us have been reincarnating like Father."
"I've heard enough lies," snarled Salem, raising her hands. Angry red energy leapt from them to engulf the girl.
Spring raised one hand and the energy parted around her. She remained in a bubble of perfect calm even as everything around her was obliterated.
Whoa.
Spring smiled humorlessly. India had never seen a display of magic on this level before.
When the blast of destruction ended, Spring pointed to her eyes.
"No fire. A Maiden couldn't match your magic anyways."
Salem stared in wide-eyed shock.
"Is it… really you?"
Spring smiled. "My birthday was May seventh. For my last birthday, you got me a stuffed dog with a red scarf."
"Spring," Salem whispered. "And your sisters too?"
"Yeah, all of us," Spring replied.
"Where are they?" asked Salem.
"All over the place," answered Spring. "I was the only one who wanted to come."
"And why did you come?" asked Salem cautiously.
"To see all of this. To hear what you're after from your own lips instead of Jinn's. Maybe even to help you. After all…" Spring trailed off as she met her mother's eyes. "It's the only way out of this."
Salem froze. "What does that mean?"
"We can't die until the gods come back," answered Spring. "That's what Jinn said."
Salem's shoulders slumped. She looked defeated from just those few words.
"You know something we didn't have to ask her though?" Spring continued. "Which one of you killed us."
Salem gasped.
"You don't know, do you?" Spring asked.
The Queen of Grimm shook her head feebly.
"Do you want to know?"
"Get out," whispered Salem.
"You don't want to know?"
"GET OOOOOOOOOOUUUUT!" Salem screamed, her fury shaking the room the around them.
Spring smiled. "Goodbye Mother."
She turned and left, walking back to the Bullhead with a mix of emotions churning inside her.
Is that really all you wanted?
"I don't know."