Chapter 4 - Uncovering a forgotten Fairy Tale Part 2
"Ozma and Salem were both kind, just rulers of their kingdom, wanting what was best for their subjects. One day the king and queen made their annual visit to their kingdom's little village to see how everyone was fairing but her peaceful visit was interrupted by the sound of a child crying out in pain." Snowla watched as Ozma and Salem walked through the small village bidding both the young and the old with 'Good morning' or 'Lovely day isn't it?' smiling when they spied a group of young boys around sixteen dunking what looked to be a girl into the fountain repeatedly, laughing and calling her a filthy animal as they did so. Ozma and Salem's once happy expressions turned into displeased frowns as they strode over to the misbehaving boys before Ozma cleared his throat getting their attention as Salem asked what they were doing. The boys turned around startled at being caught as they released the girl causing her to fall into the fountain with a yelp whilst the boys cowered in fear, their expressions resembling whipped puppies. Salem proceeded to scold and lecture the boys about mistreating other people and had half a mind to take the four home to their parents and explain just what they were doing. The boys begged the queen and king not to do this and promised to stop misbehaving and picking on others before running off. The two royals smiled, satisfied that the boys learned their lesson as Ozma helped the shivering child out of the water and removed his robe, draping it over her small form when she let out a sneeze. Salem asked why those boys were bullying her and if she was alright. The girl nodded claiming she was fine and explained the reason the boys were messing with her was because of her heritage as she took off the robe revealing her wet red hair that draped down to her shoulders and a pair of lion ears that lightly flicked off a bit of water. A lion faunus. Ozma asked what her name was and where her parents were as the girl took a seat on the fountains stone rim. The child introduced herself as Flaye Raion and explained how she lost her parents when they were attacked by a beowolf pack as tears began to form in her purple eyes. Ozma and Salem were saddened by this tale, and offered the girl a chance to stay at the castle alongside them. She was more than happy to agree but asked if she could keep her family name as she didn't really want to be seen as a royal but rather… a knight. This was fine with Salem and Ozma. "A few years had past and Salem and her beloved were blessed with four beautiful daughters. When the first born child named Eira learned she was able to use magic like her mother and father it was a miraculous sight but what should have been a joyful occasion did not last long. Ozma told Salem everything, the true reason the god of light brought him back, the relics that were scattered around the world and the day of judgement he had been instructed to prepare for." Jinn recounted as Ozma told his wife everything. Anger spread across her face. Ozma's expression shifted into determination as he left Salem's study, with the intent on leaving with his children. Though as he and Flaye were ushering the four younger girls out of their bedroom the youngest of the four Clover noticed her mommy was waiting for them. Ozma silently begged that his wife would let them leave and how he did not want to fight her but Salem's gaze was stone cold as she thrusted the first shot of magic from her palm, Ozma reacting quickly countering the blast with his own magic from his scepter. Eventually the building collapsed around them. Only five objects survived this ordeal, Flaye's old training sword, Eira's favorite book on winter and snow, Asteria's fall leaf pendant, Dawn's sunflower crown and Clover's stuffed dog she nicknamed Toto, a few beowolves went to investigate as Ozma struggled to crawl away from Salem, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.
Salem glowed orange. As the blackened puddle of malice reshaped back into the woman Ozma had loved, she briskly walked towards the injured man and kicked him in the stomach causing him to roll over onto his back with a pained groan. He looked up at her with fear in his eyes as he tried to say something but was stopped as his entire body was engulfed in raging flames. "Thus began a long and painful cycle of death and rebirth for Ozma, some were spent in mourning, others were spent trying to forget it all together but no matter what his mind would eventually return to the task that the god of life had given him. Alongside a familiar pride of lions as well." Snowla watched as Ozma was reborn over and over for a few moments. The first reincarnation after being a king was becoming a frail old hermit dressed in tattered clothes, the second being a man who wallowed in regret and mourning before drinking his pain away until he past out amongst empty bottles, the third being one where he was now somewhat happier, he was married and had a loving wife and two daughters, he even update and upgraded his old scepter into a retractable walking cane but most importantly Ozma learned to live with the souls he had been paired with. "But no matter where or how he lived her presence was always felt." Jinn explained as Ozma heard screams of fear coming from outside , opening the door he saw a group of beowolves attacking, looking apologetically at his wife and two daughters he got his cane and extending it he rushed outside. "If humanity were to stand a chance of being united… One thing was clear." Jinn explained as realization hit Snowla like an oncoming truck. "He would have to kill Salem." The lion faunus uttered sadly. "Knowing he wouldn't be able to get rid of her through normal mortal means, Ozma began looking for the power of the relics, armed with my knowledge he believed he could fulfill promise to the god of light." Ozma was now on his fifth rebirth and was asking Jinn where the other relics were hidden, the lamp of knowledge in hand. "He asked me his questions, and though I gave him my answers… Not all of them were to his liking." Ozma fell to his knees in defeat as the white void where Snowla stood began to disappear and she found herself back in the snow covered forest looking at Oscar's crumpled form where he sat on his knees, head bowed.
A/N: Hi everyone :) I have for all of you Part two. ^^ This is kinda shorter than the last one chapter. I am really happy with how it turned out. If your confused a little as to the changes to Ozma's story I'll explain. When I watched episode 3 of Volume 6 and saw that he was once a king I began to think of why there were no guards in the castle so I thought I'd add them in. Basically the Raion Family are Ozma's guards the ones who have been by his side throughout history. I hope you all enjoyed today's chapter. I hope you call read and review.