Goddamn... It's been so damn long.. How u guys doing?
Ace: "well this is suck.. Huh?" - Ace noticed a stream of blue smoke appear, revealing everywhere he stand was... in the sky? Before him was a giant gold gate. Once the gate has opened, revealed 2 person: one has a glowing light gold body and a crown of deer antlers on his head, the other has a deep purple body and a pairs of ram horn on his head. In middle of them is a blonde hair woman in a white dress.
Jinn (narrating): "Long time ago, there was a goddess named Salem. She was a creation of the 2 brothers: the God of Light and the God of Darkness in order to supervise mankind when they're not around. Despite she was a goddess, but her heart has always wished for one thing: a simple life like any human. So one day, when the brothers are not come back for a while, she took this chance to travel into the world of mankind." - Then it soon reveal Salem was disguised into a mortal woman, exploring the world of mankind. Then the scene move into the forest, Salem was walking until she encounter a Beowulf. The Beowulf growl then charge at her, she was about to attack but suddenly the Beowulf fell down unconsciously. Turns out it got killed by an arrow in the head, Salem turn to her right to see the one who shoot the arrow was a tanned-skin man with a messy brown hair and brown eyes, wearing green tunic, brown pants and boots. His hand is wielding a bow that he used to kill the Grimm.
Jinn: "That's when she met the person who will become the love of her life, Ozma."
"O..Ozma?" - Ace stuttered. Ozma then approached Salem...
"Are you okay, miss?" - Ozma asked. That is when Salem has starting to has complicated feeling for this mortal man, it took a short while for her to answer:" Y.. Yes, i'm okay. Thank you for rescuing me..." - She said shyly.
"Where are you from? Maybe i can take you back home." - Ozma said.
"I.. I don't have home." - Salem answered.
"Oh.. I see... What's your name, miss?" - Ozma asked.
"... Serina." - Salem lied.
"Serina... Well, if you don't mind, you can stay over at my place. It was quite near here." - Ozma said.
Jinn: "Ozma was a normal hunter who can only make a little amount but that can't denied the fact that he is a big-hearted person, he is always ready to help those who need help. As time goes by, Salem starting to realized that he is her one true love, but she afraid that he'll might know her true self. One day, she decided to tell Ozma the truth about her and the reason she decide to go down here."
"I'm really sorry for hiding all of this from you, and thank you for helping me all this time. But i think is time for me to came back home." - Salem decided to leave but Ozma grab her hand.
"Look, i don't care who you are. Either you are a mortal or a god, you're still the one that i know and love." - Those words from Ozma has pierce through the heart of the goddess.
"You mean.."
"Yes, i love you Salem." - Ozma said.
In returned, she gave him a tight hug. At that time, she know that she cannot go back anymore.
"So what are we do now?" - Salem asked. Ozma put his hand on her cheek.
"Whatever we like." - Ozma answered.
"Well, so far i see no problem here. So what is he tried to hide?" - Ace thought.
Jinn: "And so they decided to live together under the same roof." Ozma was putting down some woods he was able to find, but suddenly he cough. He used his hand to cover his mouth, only to reveal that his hand was covered in blood.
Jinn: "But unfortunately, their love story was short-lived." Then the scene change to inside Ozma house, Salem was sitting beside Ozma who was bedridden.
"Ozma, please.. *sob* stay with me..." - Salem plead.
"*cough* i'm sorry, Salem..*cough 2 times* i really do... But seems like.. I.. can't be.. with you.. anymore..." - Those were his last words. Salem can only grieves for her death lover.
"Bloody hell, that's suck..." - Ace muttered.
Jinn: "The illness that Ozma carrying in his body from time to time has took him away. At that time, there is no cure for Ozma's illness. And Salem's power can't saved or resurrect him."
Salem than carrying Ozma's lifeless body in hopeless. As she was walking half way, the God of Light and God of Darkness appear before her.
God of Light: "Salem, i thought you're supposed to supervise mankind while we're gone, not living with them."
"m..my lords, i know i am at fault with both of you. And i'll ready for any punishments you come up with. But please... please bring him back, he can't died like this..*sob*" - Salem kneel down and plead.
God of Light: "*Sigh* I'm afraid that can't be done, this is his fate."
"What?" - Salem's heart was shattered when she heard that.
God of Darkness: "He was right, that's how mankind was. They born, and they die. It's happened naturally."
"But.. But you're god! I thought you can do whatever you wished for!!" - Salem shouted.
God of Light: "Yes we are gods, but that doesn't mean we can do something that will reverse the rules of nature. Everything must be balanced. Otherwise, the world will fall into chaos." Salem eye-widened in disbelief when she heard that.
God of Light: "You're not just broke your promises, but you almost violated the rules. Which is why from today you're no longer a goddess. Now you're what you chose to: a mortal." Then both of the gods disappear, leave Salem kneel in shock and anger. Not only they didn't revive her lover, but they also took away her title and abandoned her.
Jinn:"Felt being betrayed, Salem has swear that she will make the brothers pay. So she decided to play dirty." Then the scene change into Salem set her sights on a castle in the distance. The scene is shown Salem was speaking to various leader of different Kingdoms.
Jinn:"Salem traveled from one Kingdom to another, spreading lies that the brothers are not so power as they always thought." Then Salem demonstrated her power. Painted them a picture of why have to watch their loved ones wither and die, when they could claim the powers of the gods for themselves.
Jinn:"All they need to do is destroy their master." Salem then leading the whole army from different Kingdoms toward the brothers's sanctuary. The two gods are now in their draconic form, God of Light was in a form of an asian dragon while God of Darkness was a western dragon.
God of Light:"so that's how it is... Instead of learning your lesson, you chose to stand against us."
Salem:"we will not be your pawn anymore.. Charge!" - Salem demand. The army all charges up, some throwing spears and firing catapult, some used magical attack launch at them. But God of Light has somehow active some kind of time stopping power, everything else but Salem has froze in place. The 2 brothers turn back into their normal form.
God of Light Darkness:"Our own creations... stand against us." Then both him and his brother forming an energy sphere that create a massive shockwave. Salem cover herself from the impact, Ace also did the same. Once Salem open her eyes, she realize her whole army has... gone, only her remain cuz of her godhood origins.
"No... No!" - Salem kneel down in despair, hands on her head.
God of Darkness:"If you think taking away your title was our worst punishment for you, then you're wrong."
"I'll come back. I'll tell the rest of the world about this massacre, i.." but before Salem could finish her sentence...
God of Light:"Is futile, there is no one left in this world but you." Salem were shocked when she heard that. And before she could done anything, the God of Light has cast some kind of spell upon her.
"Wha.. What did you do to me?" - Salem asked.
God of Light:"I've cast a curse upon you, you might still a human.. But you are now immortal. And you will forever walk in this planet until you've learned your mistake." Those words make Salem eye-widened in shock.
God of Darkness:"Come brother, this place... is not for us anymore." Then both of the gods turn into dragon and then disappear into a tornado-shape beam of yellow and purple light that shoots up into the sky and out of the atmosphere, the beams accidentally shatter the moon causing the fragments of the moon falling down and crashing to the planets. Salem falls to her knee and let out a scream in anger and despair cuz she's being alone once more.
Jinn:"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..." - then it was shown that Salem was tried several types of suicide.
"Oh shoot!" - Ace could only wince from how gruesome it it. But it goes to show that no matter how hard she tried to kill herself, she was unable to die, unable to reunite with her love.
Jinn:"Until fate has led her to the once God of Darkness territory: The pools of Grimm.
The damnable place that has created the creatures of Grimm, she thought that if her curse was given by the God of Light, than surely the pools will take it away." Salem than decide to fall into the pools without hesitation. Once she was sinking into the pools, she got attack by an unseen force.
Jinn:"But she was wrong, the force of pure destruction could not destroy a being with infinite life, but instead..." Salem has crawls out of the pool, but her skin is now pale white, her hair was the same as her skin, she got a pair of Satanic horn in her forehead and her blue eyes have turn into irises red with black sclerae. Ace was jawdropped when he saw what Salem has become, a goddess has turn into a devil.
Jinn:"It created a being of infinite life with a desire of pure destruction." The scene than changed into the blank white space.
"Now what?" - Ace wondered. Before a voiced was echoing.
"Ozma." Than Ace saw Ozma was lied down, but soon wake up due to the voice. He walk around aimlessly until...
"On your left." Ozma turn left to see God of Light in his dragon form, but soon change back into his normal form.
"Where am i?" - Ozma asked.
God of Light:"We are between realms, i'm afraid a tragedy has befallen your home because of me and my brother careless. We have chosen to depart this world, but in our absence, i would like to give you a chance to return it."
"I.. I don't understand." - Ozma said.
God of Light:"Mankind is no more, yet your world is still remains. And in time, your kind will grow to walks it face once again. However, without our presence, they will be but a fraction of what they once were." Than the God of Light summon 4 objects: a staff, a sword, a crown and a lamp.
"Wait, that's!" - Ace said as he recognize the lamp.
God of Light:"Creation, destruction, choice, and knowledge were the ideals upon which Humanity was made. Now i will leave them behind with the hope that you will learn to remake yourselves." Then he turns 4 objects into a sphere of light.
God of Light:"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, then we shall once again live among you, and Humanity will be made whole again. But if your kind is unchanged, if you demand our blessings while still fighting among 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."
"I.. 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." - Ozma said.
God of Light:"You will found her."
"You mean she isn't gone?" Ozma eyes widening in surprise.
God of Light:"Salem lives, but she's no longer the woman you hold dear in your memories. Heed this warning... where you seek comfort, you will only find pain. So, will you-"
"I'll do it." - Ozma answered. God of Light was surprise at his immediate answer.
God of Light:"Very well, Our creations rest within your hands." Then everything turn pitch black.
Jinn:" And so Ozma was reborn." The scene change into a man in a samurai armor and helmet who had just stabbed a Beowulf with his katana. Ozma soon regain his conscious in his new body, he look up and see people are screaming and running into the forest he was in away from the burning village in the distance.
"Where am i?" - Ozma wondered. Then he heard a man scream, he look to his left to see a villager was pinned down by a Beowulf. Before the Beowulf could kill him, Ozma's soul take over and rush toward the Grimm, ended it life. The villager gets back up.
"Thank you, what's your name?" - The villager asked. But for some reason Ozma's new reincarnate can't able to say a word, he throw the sword away and run in horror. Once ran far enough, he decide to rested near the river, Ozma take off his armor and helmet. He then use the river reflection to look at himself, he looks quite different now: His eyes might still green color, but his skin is yellow, his hair is still messy but it was brunette.
Jinn:"Ozma had found himself in a world completely unfamiliar to him. Cities looked different. New being known as the Faunus bore fangs and claws 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 himself and a woman known as... The Witch." Then it was shown that the Faunus was got locked up in a cage, Ace gritted his teeth when he saw that. Of course as a hero wannabe (*), he stand against every injustice. But the reason why he react like that it was still a mystery.
Jinn:"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." Ozma arrived at the quite old cottage. The front door opens, and from the darkness beyond, Salem emerges, but this time she's wearing a black robes. She gives an angry glare while exiting the cottage, but soon her expression has softens once she saw her visitor. Ozma smiles back at her, then the two just simply hug each other.
Jinn:"Call it magic or call it something stronger. But in that moment, the two knew exactly who it was that stood before them."
"What do we do now?" - Ozma asked, Salem than put her hand on his cheek.
"Whatever we like." - Salem answered.
Jinn:"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. Ozma, still unsure of where the truth lay, kept his task and the Relics 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." The scene change to inside the cottage(now was in better condition), Salem and Ozma was talking to each other.
"Are you surprised? This world is quite literally godless. These humans has no one to guide them. Perhaps that's all they need." - Salem said as she looking at her cup of tea.
"What are you saying?" - Ozma asked.
"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." - Salem said. At first Ozma was hesitated, but soon nod in agreement as Salem put her hand on his shoulder.
Jinn:"The heart of a man... are easily swayed." Then the scene change into a village that was under attack by a Nevermore, as the Nevermore turn around for another attack. A purple energy covered it, causing the Nevermore got bent and folded into unnatural positions. Once the Grimm disintegrated, the villagers watch as Ozma who was now wielding his scepter and wore a blue robes, and Salem levitating into the air side-by-side above them. They all bow down to them, then the statues of them were shown.
Jinn:"The two amassed a following. That following grew into a prosperous Kingdom." Then a castle appears, the scene change into a large room with a painting of Ozma and Salem.
Jinn:"And at the head of that Kingdom blossomed... A family." - Then the painting change into Salem and Ozma with four little girls. Ozma and Salem watch their four daughters playing together, the little girls all wearing colors on their dresses similar to that of the Four Maidens. One of their daughters comes up to the two of them, playfully tugging on Salem's robe. The two smile at her before smiling at each other.
Blue smoke transitions the scene, showing a massive conflict between people that is being observed inside a crystal ball by Salem who were smirking. Ozma stands a short distance away from her looking outside the window sorrowly.
"Are you sure this is right?" - Ozma asked. Salem look at Ozma...
"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." - Salem said. Ozma was shocked upon hearing that, he turns to the window look at his reflection. Suddenly, his reflection talked: "What are we doing?" makes Ozma recoil back in surprised.
"This isn't what he asked of me..." - Ozma muttered. But Salem has overheard him.
"What did you say?" - Salem asked. The two then hear a door open, and then their eldest daughter enters the room excitedly.
Eldest Daughter:"Mother, father, look!"
She then conjures multicolored wisps that fly in circles in front of her. Salem has a proud expression on her face, while Ozma looks on in surprise, before looking down with his troubled expression.
Jinn:"It was a miracle, their children could perform magic. But what should have been a joyous occasion was short-lived." Smoke transitions the scene again. Showing Ozma was telling something to Salem.
Jinn:"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? 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 said as she offers her hand out, this time Ozma back away in disgust. Smoke transitions the scene again, showing Ozma was quietly escorting his daughters through the halls, but the youngest daughter notice something down the hallway.
Youngest daughter:"mommy?" Turns out it was Salem who was standing there. Ozma stand in front of his daughters, lightly shook his head to ask her don't do it. However, Salem angrily launching a red beam at him, Ozma has no choice but use his scepter launching a green beam, counter her attack. Ace could only watch in horror at the battle between them, soon due to the impact from their battle the castle collapsed and completely destroyed. Than it was shown that Ozma has lost this battle as he was lying to the ground, gasp out cuz the injuries that Salem has make. Salem than walk toward him, holding him down with her foot.
"We finally had freedom..." - Salem said angrily. Ozma weakly look up at her.
"I.. Ack!" - But suddenly Salem shove her finger into Ozma throat which killed him.
"Jeeper! That is technically no ordinary family feud..." - Ace winced.
Jinn:"Thus began a long and painful cycle of death and rebirth for Ozma. Some lives were spent in mourning, many were spent attempting to forget it all." Than a various of Ozma's reincarnated were shown: 1) a frail man, 2) a drunkard who drink away his problem. Finally, Ozma reincarnates to a tanned-skinned man with glasses who starts off slouching, but then eventually stands straight up and determinedly walks forward.
Jinn:"But no matter what, his mind would eventually turn back to the task he had been burdened with." The scene shown that Ozma's reincarnation is having a meal with his family, suddenly he heard screaming outside. He open the doors only to see villagers running in panic as the Grimm attack. Then he looks back to his wife, who nods in understanding, before equipped with The Long Memory and going out into battle.
Jinn:"But no matter where or how he lived, her presence was always felt. If Humanity were ever to stand a chance at being united, one thing was clear..."
"He had to destroy Salem.." - Ace muttered.
Another smoke transitions showing Ozma's reincarnation who was now old tinkering with his cane in his workshop. Then he places his cane inside a metal cabinet, closing it.
Jinn:"Knowing he could never rid the world of her through any mortal means, Ozma sought out the power of the Relics." The cabinet door opens again, this time showing Ozma's newest reincarnation is a well-dressed man picking up the cane.
Jinn:"Armed with my knowledge, he believed he could fulfill his promise to the God of Light." The scene shown Ozma is holding the Relic of Knowledge, summoning Jinn for the first time.
"Where are the other Relics?" - Ozma asked.
Jinn:"He asked me his questions."
"What power do they possess?"
Jinn:"And though i gave him my answers..."
"How do i destroy Salem?" Ace watches as he too wanting to know the answer.
Jinn:".. You can't" Ozma falls to his knee upon hearing the answer. Ace close his eyes and gritted his teeth in frustration.
"Dammit, dead end." - Ace muttered. As he open his eyes, everything is back to normal, he look around and see Oscar still lowered his head in sadness.
"Salem can't be killed... You all heard too right?" - Yang asked.
"Wait, you girls all saw that?!" - Ace asked.
"We do, do you?" - Weiss asked, Ace lightly nod in returned.
"I.." Ozpin look up, with tears streaming down his face.
"I was.."
"There was so much things you hadn't told us! How could you think that was okay?!" - Yang enraged. Ozpin didn't say anything, only lowered his head in shame.
"Professor.. What is your plan to defeat Salem?" - Ruby asked.
"I.. I don't have one..." Suddenly Ozpin got punch in the face by Qrow.
"No one wanted me... I was cursed... I gave my life to you because you gave me a chance in this world.. I thought i was finally doing something good..." - Qrow said.
"But you are." - Ozpin said tearfully.
"Meeting you... Are the worst luck in my life." - Qrow said sadly.
"... Maybe you're right..." - Ozpin's eyes glow as control is transferred back to Oscar. Who holds his cheek in pain from the effects of Qrow's punch.
"What happened?" - Ruby asked.
"He's... gone." - Oscar said.
"Bastard! Tell him that i'm not done yet!" - Yang yelled.
"No, this is different. He's gone. It.. It's like he's locked himself deep inside my head. Our head? Urgh! I hate this! I want it to stop!" - Oscar held his head in pain.
"He just left us?" - Weiss asked.
"What are we gonna do now?" - Blake asked.
"Fuckin bas.." - before Yang finished her sentence...
"Everyone calm down! We need to get moving, it'll be dark before we know it. See that trail there? It might lead us to somewhere." - Ace point to the direction of the trail.
"Oh so you decide right now is the smart-ass time, huh?" - Yang said sarcastically as she approach Ace.
"Yang, knock it off." - Qrow said. But Yang grab Ace by the collar of his shirt.
"Do you think i forget that you lied about your identity as Drake and the fact that you know me and my sister all along. You're no different than Oz.." - As Yang was say halfway, Ace grab her arms with not too strong but not too weak force, get them off his collar and hold them, then he gave her a cold glare.
"I have no intention to defending what Ozpin done in his past, but right now we are in the middle of nowhere and if my feeling were right, the storm could come at any moments. So between dealing Ozpin's business once we get a shelter and frozen to death out here, which one would you choose?" - Ace said harshly. Yang could only stare at him in fear and anger.
"He's right, lady. I understand that you're all 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!" - Maria said.
"She's right guys, let's get moving." - Ruby said, Ace let go of Yang's arms as everyone grabbing their belongings. Ace give Maria a piggyback. Oscar picking up The Long Memory.
"I'm just gonna be another one of his lives, right?" - Oscar ask Ruby.
"Of course not. You're your own person." - Ruby said.
"Don't lie to him, Ruby. We are better than that." - Qrow said sarcastically as he drinking his flask.
End chapter 4
Note: okaaaayy~ so i'm sorry for being out for so long, so much things happen to me at that time and working on Salem's alternate past was a lot harder than i though, once again i'm sorry for my long time absent and hope you guys enjoy this chapter. And see you in the next chapter.
(*) I forgot to mention, Ace dream was to become a huntsman who not just slaying Grimm, but also did something more. In other word, his dream is to become a hero.