Ch.6 - The Transformation
A/N: Welcome to the madness, Mercenary Grok!
"Why?" Ozma breathed as he glared at the two goats who had rudely manifested in his bedchambers where his youngest daughter and his wife were asleep. One of the damned creatures opened its mouth, and Ozma could just hear his baby daughter screaming in fright as the animal released its cry.
A crimson wing pressed its tip against the beast's head. Its mouth remained open, and Ozma could clearly see its throat moving as though it were bleating. Yet, no sound could be heard. I'm not sure how to answer your question, the Herald answered in Ozma's mind. The divine being sounded slightly less confused than Ozma felt. There are… consequences that are not intended as this battle goes on. I would not be surprised to learn this is one of them. Yet, I suppose this is enough of a sign that I should take my leave of you. I have delivered the knowledge I was ordered to, and I cannot remain on Remnant for long.
Ignoring the two animals in his bedchamber for a moment, Ozma regarded the Herald. Half of him was eager to see the divine being leave after inflicting more chaos with its appearance. The other half was conflicted. This time, the Herald had done nothing more than tell Ozma the truth. No grand announcements, no demands or requests of worship. Just a private meeting where the Herald had gone out of his way to avoid disrupting Ozma's sleeping family. That did not erase years of struggle and conflict as Ozma's kingdom threatened to rip itself apart by its own hands. Yet, Ozma was not so lost to his bitterness that he didn't recognize the favor the Herald had done for him. After all of these years, Salem still had not told him this tale. He… he didn't know what to feel, knowing that the God of Light had a hand in cursing his wife. He was enlightened about it now, and it was only because of the Herald.
Thus, he opted for something diplomatic. Thank you for revealing this to me.
The man-sized griffin noted. Then hesitated. Its head drifted downward, eyes not meeting Ozma's. I know you do not look well upon me, and I cannot blame you for that. But… this may be the last time you see of me. The last time I will speak with another in a moment of peace. I know I have no right to ask of it, but, if you can find it in your heart, think kindly of me after this day. If only a little.
Ozma was caught off-guard by the surprisingly vulnerable tone to the Herald's voice. There was an undercurrent of resignation that Ozma often heard in his own tongue. I thought you and Crimson were confident in victory?
A mirthless chuckle. We are, and our victory is nigh. Yet, there is a price to be paid for the defeat of gods. Even by the victors. My existence might very well be… forfeit.
Two unexpected revelations this dark dawn. And he still didn't know how to feel about the first. All he could do was ask another question. Your god intends to sacrifice you for victory?
The Herald shook his elongated head. Not his intent, but the choice must be made. I exist at his behest and have no right to complain if triumph forces his hand to demand my life in exchange. The Herald snorted and stretched out his wings. The twin goats disappeared in a silent and muted flash of red light. I'm sorry. It is not right of me to burden you with my weakness, and I have tarried too long. Fare thee well, Ozma.
Before Ozma could reply, the Herald vanished in its own red light.
Leaving the king and false god to ponder of what was happening in a realm beyond his sight.
Stall them! Crimson told itself. The divine crimson lowered itself to the ground, wincing as the dark edges of the purple-tilted hole in its torso touched the ground, before folding its remaining wing along its back. "What do you wish to know, Light?"
Before the golden god could speak, his darker brother snapped, "He is stalling! We must attack!" Dark energy gathered in its jaws.
The longer, serpentine dragon slithered through the air to place himself between his brother and Crimson. "Peace, brother. I wish to use this opportunity to learn what I can."
Darkness snarled. "He has done nothing else besides to try to kill us." He gave his shorn tail a shake. "He is plotting something, and those creatures he created are a part of it."
"You have taken his wing and pierced his body. He cannot stand against us and twice has been defeated by our unity. No matter what trickery he employs, it will not be strong enough to overcome us." Light twisted in the air to face Crimson. "I would know why you attacked us."
"His second is also unaccounted for," Darkness snarled. Yet, the power gathering in his jaws drained away. "If you must question this being, brother, then I will hunt down the other."
Crimson stiffened. It could not allow the God of Darkness to leave. To do so would risk the dragon finding Griff on Remnant. Remnant would be in danger. It extended its awareness to the area around them, prepared to lock this section of the spirit realm down. It could not prevail against both Brothers trying to break out, but it could delay them for a time.
Right as Crimson readied to do so, Griff appeared next to it. For a moment, Griff was a fraction of Crimson's size, a choice when dealing with mortals. Gods simply were bigger in this dimension. In an eyeblink, Griff was the same size as Crimson. Crimson relaxed, even as Darkness' gaze bore into the weaker clone. I have done as you commanded, Griff announced to Crimson's mind.
Physically, Crimson's attention shifted back to the Brothers. Very good. I was worried about how long you were taking and offered to speak with them as a delaying tactic. But with you here, I can resume the fight.
Griff's gaze lingered on Crimson's missing wing. Instead of fighting with them, perhaps you could pass the time with words instead of weapons. You know you will be defeated. Why not trade words instead of blows since it will not harm our cause? How much time do you need before the Cosigners have sent you what you need?
"Where are the goats?" Darkness demanded.
Crimson's head twisted one way. "On Remnant. They are of no concern to you."
"Forgive me if I do not take you at your word," Darkness sneered. "But I cannot help but remember how you sent us on a little trip with but two of your feathers."
"They're just goats," Crimson protested. To Griff, it sent, I don't know if enough time has passed.
It costs nothing to check now, does it?
"Two goats for the two of us," Darkness insisted. "I will not be satisfied, until they are brought before me."
Crimson and Griff looked at each other. Well. The Command didn't say they had to stay on Remnant. Given the choice between Remnant and two goats, it's not a hard one. "Very well."
The two goats of crimson hair appeared before the two dragons. They were tiny things compared to the Brothers. The goats screamed in terror. Darkness' maw opened before blasting one goat into charred nothingness. The other goat sprinted, still screaming, back toward its creator. It cowered behind Crimson.
Light looked from the vanishing black spot up to his brother. "Was that necessary?"
"Yes! It is imperative we ensure there is no trick to these beasts."
The surviving goat continued to shiver and warble into Crimson's feline fur. Although Crimson could not claim any affection for goats, it was still moved by compassion. The remaining wing unfurled itself before gently petting the goat's head. That seemed to be enough to get the goat to start calming down. While Darkness continue to suspiciously search for a trick, Crimson checked the Contract.
To its surprise, power waited on the other side. No Flags or Cheers again but Observations aplenty. More than plenty. Crimson could feel itself crossing the threshold of survival. No matter what happens now, they can't kill me. Victory is inevitable. I'll go through the Commands, augmenting my strength above and beyond theirs. Then, it glanced at Griff. We'll end the fight.
I am curious as to why the form you took was a Griffon. It had not dawned on me to ask before.
Crimson blinked. Why had it chosen the form of a griffin? Nothing could be remembered before arriving in this dimension. By the time that happened, Crimson was already using the griffin form. Had it even been a conscious decision? Or was it some forgotten instinct at work?
I don't know. I don't have that memory. Crimson wished it could offer more to this inquisitive Cosigner, but there just wasn't much to say.
Apparently tired of waiting for his brother to be satisfied, Light inquired, "Why did you create two goats?"
Under no circumstances was Crimson going to explain that its free will was regularly subsumed by beings from another dimension. All that left was a partial truth to stand in its place. "Because of a whim."
Command: I reinstate my command for sparing the brother gods.
Was that really necessary? Was another Cosigner going to countermand it? Crimson didn't know. It accepted the energy regardless.
"A whim?" Light repeated, tasting the word. "You have been nothing but dedicated to your quest and only now do you engage in whims." He paused as he regarded the second griffin. "Alongside this strange decision of making more of yourself. I must agree with my brother. You do not engage in meaningless activity. If nothing else, your life is under too much threat to be so cavalier. So, the question is why. Why these goats? Why this clone? What do you plan? Why have you done any of this?"
"To protect Remnant from you."
The answer caught the God of Light by surprise. "Protect what?"
"The world that you two created and the people on it." Crimson released an angry hiss. "I won't let you two threaten them again."
"That planet is our creation, and ours to do as we please," Darkness boomed.
Beneath its chest, claws tightened. "I agree to the first statement, but not to the second."
"We created that world," Light said.
"But not Second Man and Faunus," Crimson countered, its voice heated. "You two abandoned that world after annihilating First Man. By doing so, you have forfeited any claim to judge anything that happens from that point on."
Command: Crimson, I would not like it if your clone was basically killed to strip the brother gods of their power; either put the power into the goat that Yip commanded you to make, modifying it if needed so that it survives or, if that can't be done, create another clone with no initial conscience.
Wait, what!? But why? Do yo-
Whatever protest Crimson had died as its will was overridden by the Contract.
Once again, power gathered within it, though it was careful to make no overt threatening moves, remaining seated. Didn't stop the Brothers from jumping to guard as they began mirroring build-ups. Beside Crimson, Griff stiffened as it prepared to dodge. Any and all efforts to calm the goat were undone. It may not have understood the intricacies of divine power, but it did have an instinctual understanding that danger was coming. Paradoxically, it huddled closer to Crimson.
That alone demonstrated why no goat could possibly contain the power of the Brothers for any significant purpose.
Crimson released its power in a gentle stream. It might have been the only reason Darkness did not strike. The power crossed across from Crimson before assuming the form of a third griffin staring back.
The difference between this new clone and Griff were immediate and noticeable. As the cloned soul achieved sapience, it narrowed its eyes at Crimson. Resentment thrummed through its spirit. Although it understood Crinson had no choice in the matter, it did not care. Without a conscience, there was no impulse for self-sacrifice. Griff may have been reluctant, but it was willing to go through with it. This new clone could care less.
Disconnect us, immediately, the new griffin ordered. Not asked. Not requested. Ordered.
Worse, Crimson couldn't stop itself from wanting to. Every second they were connected, Crimson could feel the new clone notice another 'weakness' with Crimson such as going out of the way to protect Griff from the fight, not willing to use Remnant as a distraction in the divine battle, and exploiting the goats against Darkness' growing paranoia. Hardly had thirty seconds passed, and the new clone was becoming disgusted with its creator.
Crimson broke the connection between them. Unnerved by what it had been forced to create. The new clone ambled to Crimson's side, opposite of where Griff, who watched the entire event with open confusion and curiosity, stood.
"Why do you keep making weak copies of yourself?" The question was hostile per the usual aggressive brother, but there was a genuine note of perplexity in Darkness' voice.
"Because I must." Looking for a quick distraction, Crimson declared against Darkness, "Unlike that petty strike against the moon."
"I made that moon!" Darkness shouted. His draconic and horned head bared its fangs at the crimson griffin. "If it pleases me to destroy what I have created, then you have no place to criticize what I do with it. It also pleases me to skip the distractions. Why 'must' you create clones of yourself? You've not used them in battle but have sent them on tasks. Why?"
By request of my wife, issuing Command: Crimson must have cat ears.
What? Wife? Cat ears?
The sheer contrast between this Command and the previous one added to the surreal nature of the situation. Regardless of how Crimson felt about it, there was nothing to do but obey. So, with a modicum of will and power, two lion ears grew out of its avian head. Fitting, given the lion half of its body.
"What is going on?"
It appeared that Crimson wasn't the only one who was bewildered by the rapidly changing situation. Both dragons regarded Crimson with growing befuddlement. It was Light who asked the question, but it was Darkness who added to it. "Now you change your form for… what? Whims? What possible purpose does this serve? Are you insane?"
"I do what I must." Already, it was becoming so much more powerful than they were. "Soon, it won't matter."
Darkness tensed. "You do intend to continue our battle."
"Why are you so concerned with, what did you call it, Remnant?" Light added. "How does it have any value to you? We've never seen you before."
Command: Modify the Faunus race so that they can possess up to 3 animal traits from the same animal (individuals can have less than 3).
Crimson balked. WHAT!? No, this is worse than the cult Command! I don't wan-
Protestations didn't change reality. Will submitted, and Crimson began gathering the necessary energy to rewrite an entire race. Ironically, it was the same amount of divine power required to create a clone of itself. This time, the Brothers remained silent and wary, but did not attempt to match Crimson energy for energy. Only watched.
With an unhappy thought, Crimson enacted the Command.
In the couple of years since the Herald's visit, neither time or revelation had made life easier. Ozma looked over his daughters' sleeping forms. His staff was in his hands. The moon shined brightly through broken though tall windows. At the door was Doba and two other Crimsonites.
The time had come.
Ozma loved his wife. Could not stand the thought of coming to blows. Especially after what the Herald had told him. Yet, neither could he stand for what she was doing, what she had become. This was the only answer he come up with. With great reluctance, he prepraed to wake his daughters. It was time to leave.
A cry at the door caught his ears.
He turned around. Unsurprisingly, Doba and one of the other Crimsonites were Faunus. Those two were the ones reacting as crimson energy blanketed their bodies. The expressions on their faces, they hadn't reacted in pain but surprise. As Ozma watched, the energy seemed to concentrate around certain parts. For Doba, it was her hands. As he watched, they transformed into bear claws. The Faunus next to her was a dog Faunus. He had a fluffy tail before this night. The red power settled around the top of his head from which two, floppy dog ears sprouted. The energy also pooled around his eyes. The irises became an almost luminous blue as the white disappeared.
Once the changes were wrought, the crimson light faded away. Doba looked down at her new claws and whispered in awe, "I have been blessed by Crimson."
Ozma was not so sure. Forsooth, he was disturbed. A thousand questions gathered to assail the fortress of his mind. He ignored them as best as he could. They could wait, until after he and his daughters were safe from Salem's hands.
"What have you done!"
Darkness liked to make a lot of demands, Crimson idly noted. This time, however, the two opponents shared uneasiness. It was not sure what to make of the Faunus. In fact, Crimson had not a lot of time to think of their accidental creation. Now it prodded at the mind, even as Crimson feared that it had made things worse. The human form was a machine of great versatility and complexity. It was possible to add animal traits, obviously, but there was a price for it. Tripling that price did not leave Crimson comfortable.
And still it refused to explain the full situation to the Brothers. Without the truth, all Crinson could say was, "Another whim."
It was technically true as far as Crimson knew.
Darkness' head reared back. "What are these whims that you indulge in? Why do you believe that we would allow them? Why do you think you are safe enough to indulge them? You must be insane."
Crimson sighed. "Perhaps."
Modification to the wife's command: Crimson must also have a cat tail.
This was not the strangest Command it had received. It might be the most pointless as the griffin gave the lion's tail a flick. Then again, that wasn't entirely true, now was it? Crimson was stronger now with another Command done. Which… didn't mean much with survival guaranteed. The fight would end sooner, Crimson supposed.
The bigger question was if these additions were permanent. Once the battle was over, would Crimson keep them, or would they mere ornaments to this current form? Crimson suspected the former but hoped for the latter. The ears were fine. Maybe a little too cutesy, but the extra hearing could be helpful. The tail, not so much. There would be no more sleeping on one's back.
I think there is a Door of Power that frees me from the need of sleep. Sounds twice as useful now. Thinking about the Doors was encouraging. So many of them had survived the battle. So many options and powers that would soon be Crimson's.
"Who are you?" Light pressed.
"You may call me Crimson," it answered. It wasn't like it had anything else to distinguish it besides the color.
"Where do you come from?"
Crimson paused. While there wasn't a chance that it was going to reveal the Contract, there was less of an issue in explaining its origins. Mostly because Crimson had no memory of them, other than the brief journey between them. No point in lying, then. "I come from a dimension beyond this one."
"No such place can exist," Darkness protested. "We have access to all planes of reality with our power. We would have found yours."
"Neither of you have ever possessed omniscience," Crimson replied bluntly. "For all your power, there are many things of which you are ignorant of."
Command: Crimson must become a cat girl.
What's with all of the cat Commands!? This is ridiculous!
Ridiculous or not, it was happening. The form of the griffin collapsed inward. The lone goat bleated in fear as it nearly tripped over, no longer supported in its lean. Shattering crystal filled the air with sharp cracking. The pieces fell into each other and reformed. From the center of the old body stood a woman. Skin just as crimson as before, the woman had no eyes and mouth. Instead, she had depressions that implied both along with a set of brighter red eyebrows. She was bald as well, though with an hourglass figure and modest breasts. Although naked, she looked more like a doll, lacking genitalia. Finally, her wounds had carried over. A chunk of her left shoulder was gone, while a hole punched through where her belly button might be.
Oh, and the lion ears and tail were still there. Or was it lioness now? Either way, that did suggest the change was permanent.
Crimson looked down on her feminine hands. If she had a mouth, it would be frowning. So, it finally happened. A Cosigner did pick my sex. I always knew this was a possibility, but… didn't another Cosigner describe the… other Crimson as male? Is that my true sex or was that picked for him as well?
"What is this?"
Crimson looked up to see both Brothers watching her closely. Neither of them were sure what to make of this, as usual. The goat, after giving her a curious tilt of the head, clopped up to her. The height difference was very noticeable in this form since Crimson stood as a giant. Still, when the goat nuzzled against her leg, she reached down and petted it with a finger.
"Is this your true form?" Light ventured.
Crimson shrugged. "It doesn't matter."
"What are you!" All heads swiveled to Darkness. "You proclaim yourself defender of a world not yours, attempt to kill my brother and me, create life on a whim, and change your form by the same apparent capriciousness. You are the single most confounding creature of all existence! From another realm, if to be believed!"
Command: A champion might be able to increase your influence, create one at your leisure.
More life!? I am to create a person! This one also not a clone or an animal but a sentient being! Why would I need a champion anyway? I am on the verge of victory. I need no champion or help. I'm already stronger than both Brothers, combined.
The one silver lining was that the timing and the champion were up to her. The timing was obvious. She would do this after the battle was completed. That was also when she would worry about the details of this unwanted person.
"Why do you think our world needs protection from us?" Light inquired. "You have never met us before you attempted to assassinate me."
"I know you and what you have done to First Man and Remnant," Crimson answered, crossing her arms as her voice became more energetic. "You wiped them all out, and you have declared that it is your intention to judge Remnant again and will repeat the punishment if they do not meet your standard. I contest that you have no right to do so."
"You have no authority to challenge us," Darkness snapped back.
"I have every right. I have recreated life on that planet, the same life you intend to judge." She pressed a palm against her chest. "They are no longer your creation to do what you will."
"That act was accomplished only by taking a portion of my power," Light countered, his back twitching where a certain set of red claw marks glowed. "Perhaps you might be in the right in claiming my brother has no part in that judgment-"
"Don't agree with her!"
"However, that still leaves myself as a rightful judge, and you are apparently aware of my message given to Ozma." Light paused. "Although I have questions on how you know this information, I will point out that I did assign Ozma to guide those people toward unity and humility. That alone should secure our right to return to judge.
Hopefully this will be the last time, but my wife wishes to reinforce: HT's Cat Tail Command, HT's Tri-Trait for Faunus Command, and HT's "Crimson becomes Catgirl" Command.
Command: The Cosigner Yip reinforces the command by the Cosigner HT of you—Crimson—becoming a cat girl; they are also reinforcing the command for modifying the biology of Faunus to allow up to 3 traits (of the animal they share their traits with).
I belay the Catgirl Command.
Five Commands, with one being replaced by a cancellation. More power either way and quite a bit of it concentrated. This was promising a quick end to the divine battle as soon as it restarted. She wasn't sure what to make of the one attempt to cancelled the catgirl Command. Did she wish that counter-effort succeeded? Would that just be trying to copy the other Crimson? Just finish these Commands, and let it be done. The tip of her tail twitched with irritation.
"You gave him an impossible task," Crimson protested. "So long as any sentient has the ability to choose between obedience or disobedience, complete unity is impossible. At best, Ozma can create or force a kind of outward, or perhaps some kind of political, unity on Remnant, and that's only if Salem does not count toward your condition of unity. If either of those situations apply, then his mission was doomed to failure to begin with. What's worse," Crimson added, a degree of spite in her voice. "You demand a standard that you yourselves fail to achieve."
Light considered this. "You accuse us of failing our standard. We have never attacked one another."
"Don't bother with deception. Both of you," Crimson barked. "Would have come to blows because of the pleas of a mortal woman. Had Salem approached the God of Darkness first, a fight would have ensued. Worse, it wasn't even an intended manipulation on her part. She was denied by one and simply asked the other. For this, you cursed her to immortality, in spite of the fact that Darkness was more than happy to break the so-called balance that nearly began the fight. This flagrant double standard is allowed because you will not be held accountable. Not by each other, or by any external power."
Hello Crimson, my name is Kaliyah and I have just one Command that I hope you can accept; "please, live a life that you can be proud of, despite the strangeness of it all."
Accept? Why question acceptance when I can't say no? It was an odd thing, and felt kind of pointless as the Command went through. Even stranger, Crimson had no intention of living any other kind of life. Oh well, more easy power without making me question my identity or affecting Remnant.
Darkness stared. "How do you know all of this?"
"The source of my knowledge is unimportant. I know what the truth is, and I know of your hypocrisy!"
Darkness growled, but it was Light who spoke, "We are learning as well."
"Yet, neither of you have offered to pay for your mistakes with your own lives! You have threatened annihilation on others for failing your standards that you two know that you are fallible on. Furthermore, as the creators of First Man, you created the very fallibility that you are condemning with death. Did it never occur to either of you that free will meant that it was only a matter of time before some rebellion would strike? It was inevitable."
"We defended ourselves," Darkness stated. Crimson threw a look of contempt his way before ignoring him.
Light reflected on the accusation before saying, "What would you have us do?"
"Brother, you can't be serious!"
Light shook his draconic head. "I want to hear what her answer would be."
"Crimson I command you to Remember."
"Remember."
Two Commands demanding the impossible. Her memories, all of them, had been one of the required sacrifices for this venture. The only reason she had even a hint of what she had once been was because of the Cosigners mentioning this… other Crimson. Just thinking about him left her feeling uneasy. Almost a foreigner in her own body.
…wait.
She did feel weird about her body. Something felt off. The feeling was new and alien. …and had been triggered by the latest Commands.
If she had a heart, it would have started racing. The Contract was clear on this! I surrender my memories and past. I receive overwhelming power and maintain my mind for this battle. The Cosigners would determine if I was victorious over the Brothers, what came after the battle, and how I would arrive at Remnant. How is this not breaking the Contract? Why do I feel wrong?
The end of her tail poofed as the stress got to her.
And reminded her that there was a reason why she might feel strange in this body. Was I not a Faunus before? Or not a cat demihuman? Or is it because I wasn't a woman? I can't, it's just so hard to tell. WHY CAN I REMEMBER ANYTHING!?
It was only then she realized that the Brothers were still waiting for an answer.
"You will settle in the modern day."
She just knew that someone wanted to see those bonds come into play. Not that she could escape having one bond since she would create a companion once this battle was over. And a champion. So much creation.
No escape from the bonds. How will they even work? Does being a woman change anything? Does being a Faunus have any impact? Wait, answer Light's question before I get lost in my own thoughts again.
With pained reluctance, she answered, "If I could, I would bar you from destroying Remnant, permanently separating you from that world to do what you ever you will somewhere else."
Light latched onto the operative word. "Could?"
Weariness tinged Crimson's words. "Could. But I don't have the ability or means to do so. Therefore, I must strip you of your power, forevermore." She sighed. "If it provides any relief, I will not destroy either of you."
The dragons stared hard at the crimson woman. Then the God of Darkness broke into a loud laughing fit.
"Even if we swore to leave Remnant to its own devices?" Light theorized with dispassion after shooting his brother an annoyed side glance.
Crimson shook her head. "Your very fallibility renders your word useless. I might be able to trust you to hold your word, Light, but I cannot trust Darkness. He is given to passion and destruction. Therefore, I must deal with you two, here and now."
"And how," Darkness snorted as his laughter died away. "Do you intend to accomplish this?"
There were no more Commands.
Crimson tightened her hands into fists.
"Let me show you."
Fire erupted around the fists.