World of Remnant:

DiZ

(The screen starts out black.)

DiZ.

Also known as 'Darkness in Zero' an alias name for himself. His true name is completely unknown.

(A red robed with a glowing yellow eye now appeared.)

He's a completely enigma to all who have heard of him and even more so of where his loyalties lie in.

(DiZ is now shown standing in alley with someone walking up to speak with him.)

This man is known as the infamous info broker. Lot of people rarely see or hear about this DiZ. It turns out this man has a surprising way of acquiring knowledge that shouldn't be known to anyone else.

(DiZ holds out a glowing scroll and the person seems to be shocked by what is on it)

His appearance is that of red armor with gold tips on the edges. He wears a red robe cloak over him shoulders revealing the center of his chest cross box guard. Showing a blue neon line in the center of his chest. He wears some sort of long black tunic gold line around his waist. While holding three leather bags holding over his side exactly identical to each one cannot tell the difference.

(A more descriptive image of DiZ is shown.)

He also wears red bandages that completely covered his face long with a black buckle strap crossing over it to hold it. Only revealing one golden eye and his mouth. While his red bandage one of them loosely flows in the wind.

(Multiple glowing screens appear around DiZ, showing him numerous events and people)

It is said that he has sources inside and outside the kingdoms and even inside the Huntsmen Academies, though the Headmasters will deny that.

(DiZ is now shown in the headmaster's office at Beacon, with a green humanoid outline holding a cane, obviously Ozpin, speaking with him)

He appears to be aware of the black queen and what she is capable of and how to counter her along with the criminal organizations that not everyone is aware of. Not just only in the cities and streets, the officers of the law, and the council members that are corrupted.

(The infamous info broker is now shown giving all the information to that headmaster.)

General James Ironwood tries to arrest that man a lot of times from restricted areas that he shouldn't be in or know about.

(DiZ is now shown in a dark grey area with blue and white humanoid figures surrounding him, the lead one with the pistols representing Ironwood)

But no matter how many times the general tried to apprehend him, DiZ is not only infamous but elusive too.

(DiZ then disappears before anyone can catch him)

No matter how many times the general tried to get a chance to capture him always DiZ slips away, showing that he is a step ahead of the general. Actually, not just two steps ahead Diz maybe is a dozen steps ahead on anyone who try to capture him or attempt to harm him.

(DiZ is then shown in a camp, surrounded by bandits with a woman in Grimm mask holding a long sword charging at him)

Which also includes his connections to certain allies that are rarely been known throughout the world.

(Two cloaked figures appear between DiZ and the woman, stopping her attack)

Somehow this person is completely unknown to throughout this world no one knows who his identity. It is known he is the one who warned Ansem Schnee about Jacque Gele's plan of getting rid of the competition for the position of CEO of the Schnee Dust Company.

(An airship is shown exploding but the camera moves down to the ground, showing a yellow humanoid shaking hands with DiZ.)

Thanks to DiZ's help with the information and warning him of the bomb in his ship meant to take him back to Atlas Ansem avoided an early grave. DiZ even acquired evidence name Jacque as the lead conspirator, ensuring that Jacque's plan went up and smoke.

(A pale white humanoid is then shown being thrown out of a mansion, likely representing Jacques.)

Somehow this infamous information broker does more good than bad. Even if he keeps his identity secret, no matter what he says is it is always about the truth for better or worse.

(The image of DiZ is shown again)

And the single truth DiZ claims about his identity is that he a servant of the world.

Even if no one understands that that means.

(Screen fades to black)


Burden of Memories

"What's got you so down?"

"You know what it is."

"Honestly, I don't. I thought we were okay with this."

"Gretchen, I don't want you to do this."

"I made up my mind and last I checked, I'm the older sibling."

"Gretchen, Huntsmen die all the time and they barely a make a difference in how we live. It's suicide."

"It's working to make things better for us. We can't just ignore the Grimm and are you forgetting we are growing up in a Huntsman Academy?"

"That doesn't mean we have to become Huntsmen. Yes, they took us and many other orphans in, gave as a home with food, beds, and a warm roof over us but we aren't obligated to sign up to a life of misery and suffering."

"They fight to keep us safe."

"And many of them die, leaving behind broken families. We can learn how to defend ourselves but signing up to basically commit suicide is not what our parents would have wanted for us."

"They would have wanted for us choose for ourselves who we wish to be when we were ready, and I choose this."

"Gretchen…"

"Fine, if you won't come with me then that's fine. I won't force you. I wish you would apply to join the Huntsmen classes with me but it's up to you, Hazel. Not me."


Hazel appreciated Cerise helping him and her hospitality but right now he had to leave and complete his task. He had return to where is Salem's domain and the last thing he needed was Cerise and this village involved with the Atlas military that was doubtlessly searching for him for his attempt to abduct Ansem. It was likely if he was found she and the people here would be accused by aiding a convict. He doesn't want anything else causing him anymore regrets, even to a person who had been so nice to him.

He does not want her to get involved or being accused of anything or what he is doing.

Once he was finally able to get supplies and new clothes, Cerise and the people of from the stores were willing to help him. Luckily, he still had Lien in hand and plenty for him to get by for supplies and find a transport.

"I'm sorry, sir. You just have to wait for at least about 3 hours till it arrives." One of the shop owners told him.

He heard from the villagers for one of the supply runs, transports usually go far south to Argus and realized it's just going to be a few hours before it arrives. He ended up trying to remain low for the meantime to not let the military and other huntsmen or huntresses find him. At least he had some time to reminisce of his encounter with Ansem Schnee. That man who was the CEO of SDC was not only very wise he was clever too.

Arthur Watts must have not known about Ansem's caliber which was much greater than the doctor that they have recruited. Hazel was sure Ansem had something to do with the machine that he had fought and lost against.

That had been rare for Hazel, especially after joining Salem.

After his sister's death, he had pushed himself to the limit, training himself to become strong enough to kill Ozpin. His strength and his Semblance allowed him to be able to match any Huntsman out there and with his control over Dust, he was a match for just about anyone.

Outside of Salem.

And now this machine had been able to best him and showed a considerable amount of power too great to be a mere creation of Atlas.

All though, he had to wonder if Ansem was the creator of that machine, was it the only one or were there more?

If more like that machine were out there and part of the Atlas military, it would make things harder for when Salem came to Atlas for the Relic of Creation.

Ansem seemed very great, but Hazel knew the people that he was working with and thus he already that Ansem would never willingly join them. Hazel wanted nothing more to have his revenge on Ozpin, but he doesn't want anyone else to be caught into it. He has a sense of morality even if his sister would not agree to this for what he's doing but he believed it would be worth it in the long run for what Salem has promised.

A world with no more Huntsmen Academies that sent children to their deaths.

He continued trying to do his best to remain composed and not to make himself any suspicious. He put a hood over his head not just for the keep the cold weather off him. He was also trying to conceal his identity while waiting for the transports to arrive.

And there was…

Hazel's senses told him someone was watching him.

He carefully looked around but couldn't see anyone looking in his direction and suddenly the presence was gone.

He knew someone had been watching him for a brief moment.

He wasn't sure if it was a glance or if someone recognized him but he had to make sure no one was following him. The last thing he needed was someone tailing him.

"Hazel." He turned his attention toward to see Cerise calling him. "Won't you come over and join us for the feast gathering."

He turned around to face her surprise that he was invited. He thought about refusing but if he did that it might make the villagers suspicious of him while he was waiting for the transports to come.

"For a big guy like you, you must be really starving right now." Cerise said with smile.

Hazel raised an eyebrow of the woman's comment and that was when he heard his stomach roaring loudly. He placed his hand on his stomach.

This was so embarrassing.

It seemed he had forgotten buy some food when he woke up.

"Ahahaha! I guess your stomach agrees with me on this one. You must be carelessly absent about having a nutritious meal before you leave on your adventure."

Cerise, this woman got him there.

He feels a little bit embarrassed but was grateful to meet her.

Deciding he could kill some time and while having a decent home cooked meal, Hazel joined the group gathering from great feast nice and for this cold weather. They had a marvelous roast in a large crock pot for the people to share carrots, potatoes, onions, and nicely seasoned rosemary. This brought so many thoughts into his mind about his family even for his sister Gretchen when there were still alive. He took a plate and joined the line and get his serving.

He sat down on the table and took one bite.

When he did that, he instantly could tell the wonderful roast was nicely made and brought tears of joy to his eyes exactly like he remembered long ago.


He remembered the first time he looked upon the castle known as Beacon.

It towered over the kingdom of Vale with an eerie green glow from the top, like a lamp or a…

Maybe it was called Beacon for a reason.

Him and his sister were brought here, orphans from their parents dying and because Beacon was a place where orphaned children could be allowed to stay and grow, while deciding their own future.

He looked at his future, seeing the awestruck look on her face.

She was clearly as taken in with this place as the rest of their fellow orphans were.

Him?

It looked nice and it would be nice to have a roof of their heads, a soft bed to sleep in and food to keep them from starving.

That wasn't what worried him.

He was worried what might happen if he wanted to leave when the time was right…

And his sister didn't.


While he was enjoying his meal Cerise was about to join him to talk. "So, enjoying the meal?"

"Yes." Hazel nodded with a grateful smile. "It's been…some time since I've taken in something like this."

"I'm sure." Cerise nodded. "We hold feasts like this regularly to keep our spirits up so the Grimm don't come. Even though the cold temperature is supposed to keep them away, the Grimm here have had a long time to adapt to the weather of Solitas."

That was no surprise.

Salem had likely played a hand, given she spent centuries experimenting with the Grimm to make them even stronger.

"Our village is one of several that exists outside of Atlas but we've been able to handle it out here. It also helps that the SDC has been sending us food and supplies in exchange for helping them scope out and mine new Dust mines."

Hazel paused at the mention of the SDC but shrugged it off. "Is that so?"

"Yes. Improved heating units for our houses, proximity alerts for incoming Grimm and they are even sending those drones that I heard are part of Mantle's new security."

"New security?" Hazel perked up.

"Oh, I guess you wouldn't know. Rumor has it the SDC is redoing the security systems in Mantle, and they are making offers to improve security in the outside village as well, our included." Cerise explained.

That was…alarming.

Well, he doubted they would come here so soon to install this new security but at the same time, it might mean the plan to infiltrate Atlas using the scientist they were sent to retrieve might be in trouble now.

He would have to report this to Salem when he returned.

Just as he was about to say something, he froze…

And so did everyone else.

Hazel looked around the table and saw everyone had frozen in their tracks, literally.

Even Cerise who was in the midst of picking up another piece of a food with a fork.

Hazel stood up, carefully looking around.

No one freezes like this.

"Hazel Reinhart."

Hazel spun around to see a man dressed in red robes with red bandages wrapped around his face with only a single eye visible. "…DiZ."

Hazel had heard of this man.

An information broker, perhaps the most infamous in all of Remnant.

Someone had been a thorn in the criminal underworld of Remnant and the bandit tribes of Mistral. Salem had her own connections, and she knew enough to know the man also knew about her. James Ironwood had tried to hunt down and arrest this man, but he remained elusive, despite Ironwood's efforts.

"You are one of Salem's followers, correct?" DiZ questioned.

"You are the one has been watching me." Hazel cast the winter coat off his body, leaving only his black shirt. "I may have failed to capture Ansem, but I can bring you to her. You might be useful to us."

"Why do you follow her?"

Hazel paused.

"You know what she is, you know what she does. You must have seen enough of her to know she is full of lies." DiZ stated. "You are smart enough to know the difference between the truth and a lie."

"All that matters to me is avenging my sister which I will do by any means necessary. Even if I have to cover my hands in blood." Hazel reached into the pouches hanging from his waist and pulled out two Fire Dust crystals. "Never again."

DiZ raised an eyebrow. "Is that the phrase she taught you to use?"

Hazel stopped.

"Salem didn't seek you out just because of your sister's death. You and your sister were both orphans, both taken in by the Beacon Orphanage Program and if I recalled correctly, you both applied to the Huntsmen classes at Beacon." DiZ remarked.

Hazel narrowed his eyes.

"Gretchen became part of Team GRNE(Green) while you were part of Team RKCR(Wrecker)." DiZ continued, noticing Hazel was now trembling. "Both team reached a level of renown at Beacon that would not be seen again until Team STRQ. Actually, I understand they were just beginning their class while you were in you fourth and final year."

"Silence." Hazel growled, clenching the Fire Dust crystals tightly now. "You do not have the right to speak of them."

"No more than you, Hazel." DiZ calmly retorted. "The crimes you have committed disgraces their memory."

Seemingly pushed to his limit, Hazel let out a roar as he plunged the Fire Dust crystals into his arms. Red energy traveling along the veins of his skin that already had scars from previous use. Fire burst from his mouth as he let out a roar, feeling the power channeling through him. "RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Eyes blazing red, Hazel charged at DiZ like a rampaging bull.

DiZ however seemingly vanished into a pillar of darkness just before Hazel reached him. The enraged giant charged past where his foe had been and spun around, looking around with a look of rage beyond reason.

"Your combat style is quite transparent."

Looking up, Hazel spotted DiZ standing atop a cliff, looking down at him. "You…"

"You refused a weapon, choosing to turn your own body into a weapon. Your strength along with your Semblance allows you to master Dust at a level only few could hope to reach. And yet, you allow your rage and anger to take hold of you, keeping you from using that power correctly."

"RAH!"

Channeling energy into his hands, Hazel jumped up and thrust his arms back, releasing fire from his fists. The blasts literally rocketed him up above the cliff and reared his fist back as he fell towards DiZ.

"RAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

SMASH!

DiZ jumped back dodging the fiery fist that would surely have smashed and incinerated him on impact. Snow covered Hazel's upper body that instantly melted and turned to steam from the heat. Glaring up at his new target, Hazel stomped forward, rearing his fist back to smash the man's skull.

DiZ smiled…

And there was flash of light.

Hazel's eyes widened before a cane whacked him in the face, making him step back. Shaking his head, he opened his eyes to see….

"OZZZZZZZZZZZPIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNN!"

Abandoning any sense of reason, Hazel charged at the man who now resembled Professor Ozpin. The man in questioned dodged or parried Hazel's punches with his cane, taking step back as Hazel was now on full rampage.

Then Ozpin moved.

Dashing at such speed that left afterimages in his wake, Ozpin proceeded to deliver jabs and strikes all over Hazel's body. No matter what the enraged giant tried, he couldn't hit or even touch Ozpin.

Then Ozpin delivered a strike to Hazel's chest, followed by a shockwave of green light that knocked Hazel back.

CRASH!

Hazel grunted, barely feeling anything thanks to his Semblance and tried to get back up. However, Ozpin charged forward, swinging his cane and hitting Hazel in the face, knocking him down again.

THWACK!

Hazel tried to get back up again, only to find the tip of Ozpin's cane directly pointed at his throat.

"You really can't help it, can you?"

Then before Hazel's eyes, Ozpin morphed into DiZ! "What-"

"You have taken in all she said to you that she will promise to you and her followers." DiZ said to him serious in a tone. "I know you're a good man deep down, but you have to listen to what I have to say to you that will let you understand everything."

"Why should I listen to you?" Hazel said defiantly. "I know Salem is at fault for everything she did. Save your breath there's nothing you can do to destroy her."

"It is true that she cannot be killed but it doesn't have to be that option at all. The only thing she is afraid of is being defeated or worse sealed away."

"Wh... What do you mean by that?" Hazel asked, now stunned.

"Because you are letting yourself be guided by your anger and not seeking out the truth." DiZ answered.

"The truth?"

"The truth." DiZ nodded and turned around, starting to walk away at a slow pace. "If I told you now, you might not believe me but if you do actually get your hands on the Lamp of Knowledge, perhaps it can answer the questions you keep inside."

Hazel managed to get up but when he looked DiZ's direction, the man was gone.

Hazel stood there in the snow for a few moments before taking the Fire Dust crystals out of his arms and slowly made his way back to the village. A few hours later, the transport arrived and Hazel bid goodbye to Cerise and the other villagers before boarding the transport bound for Argus. He hid himself away so he would not be seen and waited for the transport to take him Argus. He would then steal an airship to take him to the Land of Darkness so he could make his report to Salem.


"Was it truly wise to let him go?"

DiZ turned to see a man in familiar dark coat, holding an axe-sword, having been on stand-by to assist him if necessary. "The seeds of doubt have been planted in his heart but it's up to him to take the first step."

"His anger might cloud his judgement too much." The dark coated man, his trusted apprentice pointed out.

"Perhaps but he is not a monster like the kind of ones that Salem usually attracts. He is a wounded soul and those are often more dangerous than man who have only darkness in their hearts." DiZ replied. "He can have this one chance to return to the light."

"And if he doesn't?"

"Then I have done all I can for him. As much as I wish I could do more, I am limited on this world." DiZ remarked solemnly. "I can only give a chance to those who are willing to listen, no matter how much I might wish to give more."

"You gave Dilan and I our chance, Master. I have faith in your decision." Aeleus stated respectively. "And I believe you are doing much more for this world than many others."

"I hope so."