A Series Of Unfortunate Circumstances [RWBY SI] [AHOIAC AU]
No, it's just that, as we have seen in The Other Path, that Djinn sees the other stories as real. Shade doesn't see it that way, he only remembers writing it. BUT! It makes sense, because Bond Breaker is exactly as real as A Series of Unfortunate Circumstances as far as the REAL TRUE Shade is concerned.
Chapter Sixty-Two
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Chapter Sixty-Two
I didn't know when the changes began, but they did. I chalked it up to being old, and yet my hair wasn't turning grey, but white. My senses weren't just feeling the air around me, but also the magic that permeated the palace itself.
There were so many things going on in a small enough room, that I was puzzled by how I had been so blind not to see them before.
I didn't trust Salem, but the efforts she put into making herself appear trustworthy were memorable. She even attempted baking an apple pie, though where she found the apples, or how she actually baked it since there was no oven present in the castle, was anyone's guess.
Perhaps there was an old brick oven, and she had used magic on it?
Whatever the reason, the bizarre nature of Salem's newly found kindness and love was second only to her knowledge of magic. There were so many things one could do, from enchanting weapons to putting people to sleep, that I was actually a bit miffed by the lack of magical potions or wands.
Hell, one could use a staff to blast colorful fires out of the tip, energy beams, but no-there was no such thing as human-created magical artifacts.
Salem's true colors would show, however, whenever the discussion veered on the past and on the Gods. She'd do her best to keep a facade of civility, but the wrath beneath her skin was as clear as the sky that now was a pristine blue color over the keep.
"Those fools thought to condemn me," Salem mused, "But now I am the one who will condemn them, and their precious humanity, to the pages of history. We will supplant them, slowly, but surely."
"Not by killing them," I hazarded.
"No, why would I do that?" Salem sighed. "Ozma..." the word came out as a curse, "He did not understand. There was no need to kill the humans. His body was human when we found one another again, and our daughters had magic. They could have married kings, emperors-and their children would have had magic. They would have cemented the right to rule over mankind and, given thousands of years, humanity would have flourished right back."
She glanced at me. "You can burn down the forest to ashes, but the blossom of hope rises once more unyielding to the heat of the flames," she made a small smile. "We do have to be careful, however. Ozma won't allow for his precious humanity to be supplanted. We will need to be in a position of power to prevent him from doing so."
I grimaced. The implicit 'someone will need to fall for us to take their place' was clear to hear, and see.
"Isn't hiding in anonymity the best course?" I asked.
"It is," Salem agreed amiably. "In myths and legends, where those who call themselves wise scoff at the kernels of truth within. Yet we have to assume Ozma will inevitably find out. When he does, though the Grimm will keep us safe here, this is no place to grow the future rulers of mankind."
I arched an eyebrow at that. "You seem sure they will wish to rule. Wouldn't just living alongside humanity yield the same result in the end, since your blood is stronger?"
Salem turned thoughtful. She was actually considering it. "Humans lash out to those who are different," she said in the end. "Unless they hold power over them. Look at the Faunus, who have the same heart, the same blood, and some mere, minor differences." Salem clicked her tongue against her teeth. "Yet humans are hypocrites. They will bow, kneel and honor the more powerful, sycophants seeking the scraps from the table, but if one is weak, then their differences become something to humiliate them with, subject them to slavery, force them to kneel as inferiors. If my family is to mingle with humans, I will not allow them to be treated as anything but their better."
I winced at that. "It's true that humanity can be evil, and thoughtless," I muttered, "But that is why, if we're supposed to be better than them, then...shouldn't we stand above them because of our virtues, and not just because of our power?"
"You can be a virtuous king," Salem answered, "As long as you are a king. Nobody cares for a virtuous pauper, nobody listens to a gentle slave, and I will not have my family-" her fists clenched, "Treated as anything less than what they deserve to be treated as. Be it as kings, or Gods, but never as them-the broken, inferior humanity that crawled out of the mud as a mockery of what once stood in their place."
"When you didn't know any better, I belonged to them," I said softly, my fingers clasped together. "Perhaps there are more like me amidst them. How can you be sure those you treat as lesser aren't, in truth, equals?"
Salem looked away. Her hands were on her lap. "I speak from experience, child."
I chuckled at that, and my right hand gently landed on the back of her hands which I rubbed slowly. "And I speak from kindness, grandmother."
Salem's right hand placed itself on the back of mine, and as she gently squeezed it, a small smile settled on her lips. "Kindness, uh. Foolishness, more likely." She chuckled. "The very same thing I found petty and useless, the very same thing that annoys your wife to no end, your kindness-maybe it's not that bad."
I smiled brightly at that.
"In small enough doses," Salem added, making my smile slip from my face. She stood up from the sofa, and I stood up in turn. "But now we should greet our guests." She clasped her hands together, "Do appear presentable as benefits your status."
Her idea of presentable meant old clothes. I aptly used my newly found freedom of saying no to the immortal entity of death and destruction to keep my usual clothes on.
She scoffed, but said nothing more. Her face hardened as Watts and Tyrian returned first, having an easier time in commanding an airship than Cinder.
Hazel's fate was still forgotten. Did she truly not care?
"We have returned as quickly as possible, Goddess," Tyrian said, bowing deeply in her presence. "What is your wish?"
Watts observed, quietly, the proceedings. "A change of plans is at hand," Salem mused. "New information has come to my attention; and it requires a change of plans." Her expression hardened. "You will be concentrating your efforts in Mistral once more; they have lost their protectors, and I wish they lose all thoughts of power from their minds. I want them weak, and ready to turn on their bellies."
"Is Cinder not there already?" Watts mused. He glanced at me ever so briefly, "I would assume she succeeded in her task."
"She did," Salem said with a slow nod. "Beyond my wildest expectations," she added. Her gaze moved towards me, the unspoken words clear as I extended my right hand, letting the magic flow out to form floating spheres of the elements.
"Fascinating," Watts mused, "A Semblance?"
"Nothing so crude," Salem said, an undertone of steel in her voice. "Magic. You stand in the presence of one of my long-lost descendants."
"Ah-" Tyrian mumbled, "But he does not like killing."
"What he does, or does not like is none of your concern, Tyrian," Salem retorted, and Tyrian bowed deeper still. "What concerns you is to do as I command, so that you may in turn achieve what you desire."
"I understand," Watts said with a slow nod. "Mistral's local communication system is still online. We will destroy it, then, to begin with."
Salem nodded. "Very well. Divide them, and when they are at their weakest, they will turn their backs on their so-called protectors, seeking salvation even in the hands of their enemies."
"If I may be so blunt as to ask," Watts remarked, "Will we receive the aid of the White Fang?"
"Hazel was assigned to it," Salem mused, before turning to glance at me. "Update us, child."
"Hazel's dead," I said. "Branwen killed him, broke free, and got the Relic of Knowledge back. When I found his remains, I couldn't follow the tracks any longer."
Salem slowly nodded. "Understandable-"
"U-understandable!?" Tyrian's voice came out as a shattered cry. "H-He failed you, my Goddess! He-"
Air left Tyrian's throat. He clutched at his neck, his body slamming on the ground as the cracks began to spread across the floor from the strength of the magic imposed on the faunus' body. His body twitched like an insect about to be crushed would.
"You dare offend my bloodline, Tyrian? I would have thought you, out of all, would give it the respect it is due," Salem hissed. "I will see you crushed to paste."
"I-I'm sorry," Tyrian choked out, "P-Please, Goddess-it won't happen-won't happen again!"
Salem's magic stopped, and Tyrian gasped for air. "T-Thank you, my Goddess. Thank you-"
"There will not be a second time," Salem said, darkly. "You have your orders. Carry them out."
Watts nodded, and hastily beat a retreat for the airship, Tyrian following behind him.
I remained alone with Salem.
Her eyes turned towards me.
"Hazel's failure will need correcting," Salem mused. "I would have you correct it by yourself," she added, "But it would be too dangerous-"
I could use magic. I could use magic and I was also pretty sure there was little left on the entire world that could threaten me.
"I've long since stopped being a child, grandmother," I muttered back. "Allow me to prove my worth. I'll have the White Fang in line and ready to follow your will."
Salem shook her head. "No, not my will. Yours." She smiled. "But that can wait until after dear Cinder's return. There is much that we need to talk about, and there is much more you need to learn on the ways of magic. Afterwards, I'll allow you to go."
She turned thoughtful. "The loss of the Relic of Knowledge hampers me little now. If anything, it is a boon for I can sense its presence-and through it, know where Ozma's underling is." She chuckled. "But let us return to your training."
She began to walk back towards the training room, and as I followed her, I heard the telltale sound of a gentle, pleasant hum coming from Salem's throat.
I began to hum in turn.
Hummingly, we walked...
...and silently, the wheels of fate turned.
I didn't know when the changes began, but they did. I chalked it up to being old, and yet my hair wasn't turning grey, but white. My senses weren't just feeling the air around me, but also the magic that permeated the palace itself.
There were so many things going on in a small enough room, that I was puzzled by how I had been so blind not to see them before.
I didn't trust Salem, but the efforts she put into making herself appear trustworthy were memorable. She even attempted baking an apple pie, though where she found the apples, or how she actually baked it since there was no oven present in the castle, was anyone's guess.
Perhaps there was an old brick oven, and she had used magic on it?
Whatever the reason, the bizarre nature of Salem's newly found kindness and love was second only to her knowledge of magic. There were so many things one could do, from enchanting weapons to putting people to sleep, that I was actually a bit miffed by the lack of magical potions or wands.
Hell, one could use a staff to blast colorful fires out of the tip, energy beams, but no-there was no such thing as human-created magical artifacts.
Salem's true colors would show, however, whenever the discussion veered on the past and on the Gods. She'd do her best to keep a facade of civility, but the wrath beneath her skin was as clear as the sky that now was a pristine blue color over the keep.
"Those fools thought to condemn me," Salem mused, "But now I am the one who will condemn them, and their precious humanity, to the pages of history. We will supplant them, slowly, but surely."
"Not by killing them," I hazarded.
"No, why would I do that?" Salem sighed. "Ozma..." the word came out as a curse, "He did not understand. There was no need to kill the humans. His body was human when we found one another again, and our daughters had magic. They could have married kings, emperors-and their children would have had magic. They would have cemented the right to rule over mankind and, given thousands of years, humanity would have flourished right back."
She glanced at me. "You can burn down the forest to ashes, but the blossom of hope rises once more unyielding to the heat of the flames," she made a small smile. "We do have to be careful, however. Ozma won't allow for his precious humanity to be supplanted. We will need to be in a position of power to prevent him from doing so."
I grimaced. The implicit 'someone will need to fall for us to take their place' was clear to hear, and see.
"Isn't hiding in anonymity the best course?" I asked.
"It is," Salem agreed amiably. "In myths and legends, where those who call themselves wise scoff at the kernels of truth within. Yet we have to assume Ozma will inevitably find out. When he does, though the Grimm will keep us safe here, this is no place to grow the future rulers of mankind."
I arched an eyebrow at that. "You seem sure they will wish to rule. Wouldn't just living alongside humanity yield the same result in the end, since your blood is stronger?"
Salem turned thoughtful. She was actually considering it. "Humans lash out to those who are different," she said in the end. "Unless they hold power over them. Look at the Faunus, who have the same heart, the same blood, and some mere, minor differences." Salem clicked her tongue against her teeth. "Yet humans are hypocrites. They will bow, kneel and honor the more powerful, sycophants seeking the scraps from the table, but if one is weak, then their differences become something to humiliate them with, subject them to slavery, force them to kneel as inferiors. If my family is to mingle with humans, I will not allow them to be treated as anything but their better."
I winced at that. "It's true that humanity can be evil, and thoughtless," I muttered, "But that is why, if we're supposed to be better than them, then...shouldn't we stand above them because of our virtues, and not just because of our power?"
"You can be a virtuous king," Salem answered, "As long as you are a king. Nobody cares for a virtuous pauper, nobody listens to a gentle slave, and I will not have my family-" her fists clenched, "Treated as anything less than what they deserve to be treated as. Be it as kings, or Gods, but never as them-the broken, inferior humanity that crawled out of the mud as a mockery of what once stood in their place."
"When you didn't know any better, I belonged to them," I said softly, my fingers clasped together. "Perhaps there are more like me amidst them. How can you be sure those you treat as lesser aren't, in truth, equals?"
Salem looked away. Her hands were on her lap. "I speak from experience, child."
I chuckled at that, and my right hand gently landed on the back of her hands which I rubbed slowly. "And I speak from kindness, grandmother."
Salem's right hand placed itself on the back of mine, and as she gently squeezed it, a small smile settled on her lips. "Kindness, uh. Foolishness, more likely." She chuckled. "The very same thing I found petty and useless, the very same thing that annoys your wife to no end, your kindness-maybe it's not that bad."
I smiled brightly at that.
"In small enough doses," Salem added, making my smile slip from my face. She stood up from the sofa, and I stood up in turn. "But now we should greet our guests." She clasped her hands together, "Do appear presentable as benefits your status."
Her idea of presentable meant old clothes. I aptly used my newly found freedom of saying no to the immortal entity of death and destruction to keep my usual clothes on.
She scoffed, but said nothing more. Her face hardened as Watts and Tyrian returned first, having an easier time in commanding an airship than Cinder.
Hazel's fate was still forgotten. Did she truly not care?
"We have returned as quickly as possible, Goddess," Tyrian said, bowing deeply in her presence. "What is your wish?"
Watts observed, quietly, the proceedings. "A change of plans is at hand," Salem mused. "New information has come to my attention; and it requires a change of plans." Her expression hardened. "You will be concentrating your efforts in Mistral once more; they have lost their protectors, and I wish they lose all thoughts of power from their minds. I want them weak, and ready to turn on their bellies."
"Is Cinder not there already?" Watts mused. He glanced at me ever so briefly, "I would assume she succeeded in her task."
"She did," Salem said with a slow nod. "Beyond my wildest expectations," she added. Her gaze moved towards me, the unspoken words clear as I extended my right hand, letting the magic flow out to form floating spheres of the elements.
"Fascinating," Watts mused, "A Semblance?"
"Nothing so crude," Salem said, an undertone of steel in her voice. "Magic. You stand in the presence of one of my long-lost descendants."
"Ah-" Tyrian mumbled, "But he does not like killing."
"What he does, or does not like is none of your concern, Tyrian," Salem retorted, and Tyrian bowed deeper still. "What concerns you is to do as I command, so that you may in turn achieve what you desire."
"I understand," Watts said with a slow nod. "Mistral's local communication system is still online. We will destroy it, then, to begin with."
Salem nodded. "Very well. Divide them, and when they are at their weakest, they will turn their backs on their so-called protectors, seeking salvation even in the hands of their enemies."
"If I may be so blunt as to ask," Watts remarked, "Will we receive the aid of the White Fang?"
"Hazel was assigned to it," Salem mused, before turning to glance at me. "Update us, child."
"Hazel's dead," I said. "Branwen killed him, broke free, and got the Relic of Knowledge back. When I found his remains, I couldn't follow the tracks any longer."
Salem slowly nodded. "Understandable-"
"U-understandable!?" Tyrian's voice came out as a shattered cry. "H-He failed you, my Goddess! He-"
Air left Tyrian's throat. He clutched at his neck, his body slamming on the ground as the cracks began to spread across the floor from the strength of the magic imposed on the faunus' body. His body twitched like an insect about to be crushed would.
"You dare offend my bloodline, Tyrian? I would have thought you, out of all, would give it the respect it is due," Salem hissed. "I will see you crushed to paste."
"I-I'm sorry," Tyrian choked out, "P-Please, Goddess-it won't happen-won't happen again!"
Salem's magic stopped, and Tyrian gasped for air. "T-Thank you, my Goddess. Thank you-"
"There will not be a second time," Salem said, darkly. "You have your orders. Carry them out."
Watts nodded, and hastily beat a retreat for the airship, Tyrian following behind him.
I remained alone with Salem.
Her eyes turned towards me.
"Hazel's failure will need correcting," Salem mused. "I would have you correct it by yourself," she added, "But it would be too dangerous-"
I could use magic. I could use magic and I was also pretty sure there was little left on the entire world that could threaten me.
"I've long since stopped being a child, grandmother," I muttered back. "Allow me to prove my worth. I'll have the White Fang in line and ready to follow your will."
Salem shook her head. "No, not my will. Yours." She smiled. "But that can wait until after dear Cinder's return. There is much that we need to talk about, and there is much more you need to learn on the ways of magic. Afterwards, I'll allow you to go."
She turned thoughtful. "The loss of the Relic of Knowledge hampers me little now. If anything, it is a boon for I can sense its presence-and through it, know where Ozma's underling is." She chuckled. "But let us return to your training."
She began to walk back towards the training room, and as I followed her, I heard the telltale sound of a gentle, pleasant hum coming from Salem's throat.
I began to hum in turn.
Hummingly, we walked...
...and silently, the wheels of fate turned.
- Location
- Italy
Huh. Salem does make some good points here. Her plans are still likely going to necessitate deaths, but now they're actually going to further humanity. Nice?
Oh no. When Salem realizes that Shade is a Schnee.
She is going to make collecting her decedents a priority.
She is going to make collecting her decedents a priority.
Madou Sutegobana
Autocorrupt has been disabled.
- Location
- Twin Realms Mandala
I just see her running around to all the Grim, "I have a grandson! Have you heard!", then she learns of Winter and Weiss, "I have granddaughters!"
- Location
- Some Apartment
Well Shade, you have a better starting point than Luke Skywalker has with parent issues. Its not much but its a start. Time to use your good ol' charm boyo. Wouldve thought Salem would go to Atlas but collateral is a thing so yeah. The take aways from the last 3 chapters were as follows:
1. Family reunions are going to be a bitch or a witch in any case. I await such things. Winter be careful what you wish for.
2. I am sad yet understanding that Oz and co. didnt see The Other Paths... wouldve been a shocker and a tagline that this is where all fates meet.
3. Jinn at the very least wouldnt know that the world was created due to ketchup stains.
Edit 4. AS OTHER VIEWERS HAVE SAID, WREN/SHADE GOT VIP TREATMENT FROM WHITE FANG ONCE THIS COMES TO LIGHT TO SALEM... OHHHH BOI!
1. Family reunions are going to be a bitch or a witch in any case. I await such things. Winter be careful what you wish for.
2. I am sad yet understanding that Oz and co. didnt see The Other Paths... wouldve been a shocker and a tagline that this is where all fates meet.
3. Jinn at the very least wouldnt know that the world was created due to ketchup stains.
Edit 4. AS OTHER VIEWERS HAVE SAID, WREN/SHADE GOT VIP TREATMENT FROM WHITE FANG ONCE THIS COMES TO LIGHT TO SALEM... OHHHH BOI!
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- Location
- Not Entirely Here
And Willow, from Salem's perspective.
Edit: And another grandson, Whitley, now that I think about it.
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Pandora
Gotta say, blood IS as tasty as I make it look~
- Location
- Brazil
OH NO!! Are the Schnees going to be born gingers!!? Oh no!...
The easiest way to kneecap Ozmas efforts would be making his nature public; that he is a body-snatching immortal spirit that will slowly subsume the host. Just root him in myth and legends as some type of deceitful bogeyman.
If there are signs of possession contact the Church of Salem!
( There is probably some kind of joke to be made, how nobody expects the Grimm Inquisition... )
If there are signs of possession contact the Church of Salem!
( There is probably some kind of joke to be made, how nobody expects the Grimm Inquisition... )
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- Location
- Elsewhere
... y'know, looking at how much finding a descendant has mellowed her down, there's a part of me that thinks that having some grandchildren around would have stopped things in their tracks. Prolly not, but it makes me snicker.
With that as subtext, any questions from my grandma about my relationships certainly become more interesting. "Get to makin' them babbies, or I might became an immortal sorceress determined to wipe out humanity."
With that as subtext, any questions from my grandma about my relationships certainly become more interesting. "Get to makin' them babbies, or I might became an immortal sorceress determined to wipe out humanity."
"Hey everyone, did you hear the news? I'm a grandmother! WHOOHOOO!"
"I have a grandson Beowolves."
"I have a grandson Grimmpools."
"Hey Geists, guess what? I have a grandson, did you know that?"
"I have a grandson tiny little Grimm worms that spy on my servants."
"I have a grandson spacial magiiiiii-whoa!!"
Later, in Atlas for some reason.
"This is amazing, I feel so alive again! My descendants and I ruling the world together! Oh, they're going to be so excited."
The Schnees were not excited.
Oh god. Salem could totally coerce Willow. She has the one thing Willow wants most in the world, her son.
- Location
- Portugal
I would love if this turned in the love unicorn path where Salem is defeated by love and understanding and we would be totally bamboozled by the lack of agsnt and despair.
- Location
- Texas
...Soooooo...
...
The hero's will still try to kill Shade, Cinder, and Salem... And they received a clear answer that will give them the perfect excuse to have a clear conscious about it.
After all, if Shade isn't truly Human then it isn't killing a fellow individual... It is simply pest control.
...
The hero's will still try to kill Shade, Cinder, and Salem... And they received a clear answer that will give them the perfect excuse to have a clear conscious about it.
After all, if Shade isn't truly Human then it isn't killing a fellow individual... It is simply pest control.
- Location
- Tampa Florida
Dammit I hope they team up I like Salem always have because she's right ,humans are scumbags look at the faunus it's true they want to subjugate and if magic is known they will want magic slaves to fix their problems work with Salem help her it's for the best imo
- Location
- Some Apartment
With Willow or rather the Schnee in court, Salem's, they'll have a hold on the Dust industry alongside Grimm as a resource. Oh wow. Although that remains to be seen. Truth be told I actually forgot they're related at some point. Kratos Shade might have to end up killing gods at some point. Also has Winter already put two and two together regarding Shade?
warhammer651
The Festive Fortress is Unbreachable!
"What do you MEAN my family is just a FIGUREHEAD?"
"I was rather busy looking for my-"
"NO CHILDREN OF MINE ARE MERE FIGUREHEADS! Tyrian, here's a list."
And then SDC's board of directors mysteriously vanished and Faunus rights were recognized and working conditions drastically improved
- Location
- The Legendary Land of Florida
Can I just say that seeing Ozpin's whole backstory reveal/super zinger get utterly blown out by the relevation of Shade's true nature is as hilarious to read as it is to ponder? Because it absolutely is.
First it's the betrayal, then the sudden magic/ass kicking, and then as if to one up Ozma and Salem's huge grand scale conflict, the knowledge that Shade is some sort of inter dimensional alien whose done everything they've done on a bigger scale and more.
Couple that with Pyrrha's villain worship/paranoia being justified beyond all limits and it's just... glorious.
First it's the betrayal, then the sudden magic/ass kicking, and then as if to one up Ozma and Salem's huge grand scale conflict, the knowledge that Shade is some sort of inter dimensional alien whose done everything they've done on a bigger scale and more.
Couple that with Pyrrha's villain worship/paranoia being justified beyond all limits and it's just... glorious.
Chapter Sixty-Three
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Chapter Sixty-Three
I glanced up at the sky.
"How fast can magic make me fly?" I asked.
Salem turned thoughtful. "Flying would be best done with Dust, or with another method that doesn't require magic."
I was looking up at the sky from the highest tower of the castle. Because I was there, Salem was close by. She was content with just sitting with her hands in her lap, gazing at the sky or at my progress in controlling my magic.
"Why?" I asked.
"Magic is...magic is like the water from within a well," Salem mused. "If nurtured with care, and deep and plentiful enough, then it will allow for the greatest of feats. However..." she grimaced. "It is finite. Though the one you possess appears to be strong, and vast, as befitting any descendant of mine, it has a limit."
I furrowed my brows. "Really?"
Salem nodded. "Once, in the era of the Gods, the...let us say Magical Well, would replenish by virtue of the God of Destruction. Without him, it is a delicate act."
"But I don't feel like I have a limit," I muttered.
Salem chuckled at that. "There are always limits, and you would do best to learn what yours are, before you are burned by attempting to surpass them."
"Can it happen?" I asked. "Being burned by...I don't know, excessive magic?"
"Once the spell departs, once it acquires physical shape and form...then it is no different from a fire, or a column of water," Salem remarked.
I frowned. "But what if it doesn't? Like, making a fire armor or something like that-"
Salem chuckled. "It is possible, but considerably more advanced." Her eyes glanced at mine. "To have managed such a feat without instruction..." she beamed, and it felt like the most honest of smiles he had ever made, "I think the only thing that has no limit is my pride in your achievements."
I winced at that. "I...I don't even know if you're being honest, or if you're just buttering me up."
Salem grimaced, and then glanced away. "I admit...considering my past behavior, yours is a normal feeling to have." Her fingers tightened together. "It has been so long since I last felt something different from regret, or anger...and I admit I do not know how to deal with it."
"One step at the time?" I muttered as I crouched down in front of her. "It's...it's going to take time. But-but here's the deal. I'll be honest. I'll be upfront. Some things...some things I really don't like. Killing people, making them suffer-I understand protecting oneself. I understand wanting what's best for one's family, but it doesn't need to come through hurting others."
"You think Ozma will allow it?" Salem hissed. "He needs to be stopped."
"He needs to be stopped from doing what?" I retorted, calmly. "Come here? He won't. He won't go anywhere you are, Grandma. He knows you can't be defeated. And I'm not saying..." I sighed. "I'm not saying I don't understand what your points are, but it's just something I don't want to do. Maybe one day, you'll have some grandsons or granddaughters that think like you. They'll be free to make their choices on the matter, but-but I don't want to set the world on fire just so I can sit atop its ashes and proclaim myself a King or a God of nothing but despair."
"I wonder," Salem muttered, "If Cinder told you to do it, would you?"
"I will do everything I can to protect her," I answered. "If she wants to rule the world...I won't agree to it, but I won't stop her, and if she wants my help, I will give it to her."
"Even then?" Salem muttered, "Even if she asked you to do despicable things? You would still do it?"
I took a small breath. "The woman I love, grandmother, I love because of who she is. If given the choice, I know, I truly know, that she will never ask of me something I cannot, or do not want to, do."
"I see," Salem sighed. "Really, what a pity." She shook her head. "You could have the whole world. You would just have to ask me."
"But I don't want the whole world," I retorted. "I want my wife to be happy, and my family to be happy too," I added with a small smile. "What..." I swallowed, "What would make you happy, grandma? Something that doesn't have to do with ruling the world as Gods or killing people, that is. There has to be something else you love doing."
"Something I love doing?" Salem turned thoughtful. "There's...there's little I love left in this world."
She glanced at the sky. "I feel...I feel like there's only one path left for the likes of me, and it's one of revenge."
I sighed, and then sat down, my legs crossed. "Why?"
Salem blinked at that. "Why?" her voice threatened to crack. "Because it's what I deserve. After all the injustice I suffered through, I want revenge! The spite of the Gods, the hate I feel for the likes of their creations, Ozma's actions...my daughters," she whispered, "How can you ask me why I think revenge is the only answer?"
"Because..." I turned thoughtful. "The Gods kind of shot themselves in the balls already?"
"What...what kind of crass image is that?" Salem retorted, eyes half-narrow. "What are you implying?"
I cleared my throat, "The God of life is a big bag of shit!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. "His brother's even worse! He should go get fucked!"
Salem looked at me, eyes wide, "Have you gone mad?"
"Grandma, the Gods are gone from their precious world," I pointed out. "Isn't that already one victory on your side?"
"I admit, that might be so, but-"
"Also, the humans didn't ask to be born, and neither did the Faunus. You shouldn't fault them for something which isn't their fault. I understand you feel they're like a mockery of what once was humanity, but-then the blame would belong to the Gods, not to them. And the Gods have already been dealt with," I earnestly continued.
"Perhaps," Salem mumbled. "Even so-"
"Also, while Grandpa sounds like a really horrible person...maybe he was misguided? Maybe he wasn't, but what if he was? And if he truly was...maybe he's hurting just as much as you are?" I swallowed.
Here came the last part, the most difficult one.
"And as for...for your daughters, Grandma..." I whispered, "You do realize...you could have just let them leave, and recovered them later? You could have...you could have asked Ozma to fight you away from them, and he would have agreed?"
Salem's eyes widened as angry red veins started to spread from within her. "You fell in the pool of the Grimm-you didn't die, but-but it changed you, Grandma. If you think about it, you blame yourself as much as you blame Ozma, but you shouldn't blame yourself, and you shouldn't hate yourself, or Ozma either-because in the end, if the God of Destruction hadn't left a pool, and if the God of Life hadn't made you immortal...then none of this would have happened!" I hastily scrambled back as Salem screamed in incoherent rage, and then discovered just how quickly I could fly off the tower with magic.
The answer was...incredibly fast.
The top of the tower blew off.
"Anger management lessons!" I yelled as I landed on the sandy ground and rolled out of the way of a set of lightning bolts. "I'm gifting you coupons for anger management lessons, grandma!"
A column of fire spread from the tip of Salem's hands, the flames a bright blue light. They poured down towards me, but I was already dashing away, leaving behind a trail of sand turned to glass chunks. I wasn't going to fight Salem; I was going to just most valiantly run around the castle, hoping it would be enough to-
I jumped up in the air, avoiding the desert itself as it turned into maws of earth and rock.
"Grandma!" I yelled, "Grandmaaaaa!"
"Shut. Up!" Salem snarled, a literal bolt of lightning forming in her palm. "Do you think I'll allow your lack of respect!?"
"Isn't-isn't that what family's all about!?" I yelled right back, slamming a hand in front of me, a wall of air deflecting the lightning bolt off in the sky. "If I'm not allowed to call you out on things I think are stupid, then who's gonna!?"
"You cannot understand my pain!" Salem screamed, the ground below her feet bubbling now, hissing as magma started to rise from the depths of the earth.
"All that I understand is that it's been thousand of years!" I snarled right back. "You've given it back in spades, all of that pain, haven't you!? Wars! Deaths! Murders! If you feel justified in harming others, then you must justify others when they attempt to harm you!" I slammed both of my hands on the ground and with a swell of effort, a geyser of water poured out from the depths of the desert, twisting in a column of water that I directed in her direction.
The magma met the water in a sizzling explosion, steam rising up as I took a deep breath from the momentary respite.
"You're just a child, thinking the world is a better place than it truly is," Salem hissed, walking through the mist with her fists clenched.
"I'm no child, and I know the world's a shitty place," I growled right back, walking towards her. "That's why-it's up to us to be the best thing ever in the world. 'Cause the world ain't gonna provide it. We have to be the good we wish to see in the world, grandma."
I halted right in front of her, arms crossed in front of my chest. "And you need anger management classes."
"Foolishness is not something you took from me," Salem growled right back, eyes narrow. "It must be in Ozma's blood, specks of it rearing their ugly head up-"
"Ahem," I coughed, "Previous words? Flew right over your head?"
"You play a dangerous game," Salem hissed.
"And you've lost it the moment you allowed me to talk to you as an equal, grandma," I retorted with a small chuckle soon escaping my lips. "Don't you understand?" I added, "I'm not saying you aren't justified in your wrath, but I'm saying you've had the wrong target all along. If you want to kill the Gods...I'm all for it. Maybe we'll win this time around. Or, perhaps, we can just spite them by keeping the Relics separated. They'll never return to this world that way, Grandma. You've won already. Can't you see it? You've won! So why...why do you insist on wielding the sword?"
Salem bared her teeth, and then winced, looking away. "It is-It is all I have ever known how to wield," she muttered in the end.
Very gently, my arms engulfed her in a tight hug. "Then..." I mumbled, "How about we try to let go of it, grandma?"
Salem did not say a word.
Her arms carefully moved, as if afraid to break my spine in half, and she returned the hug a moment later.
"There is something that needs doing," Salem said after a short while, letting go of the hug. "One of the Relics needs to be acquired for safekeeping," she eyed me. "I will renounce all hostilities, maybe even get the Grimm to stop attacking humans-but a Relic must be in my hands, so I can make sure it's hidden from Ozma and his ilk forever."
I gave her a small nod. "Understood."
Then, I winced as realization dawned on me. "There is one Relic that's currently out in the open, isn't there?"
Salem chuckled. "The Grimm will not obey you, but they will obey me."
I arched my eyebrows.
"We'll do this together," she continued. "You are ready, after all."
"Then, we stop fighting," I said, eyeing her carefully.
"Very well," Salem mused. "Child rearing is, after all, a practice that takes much time and concentration. I am sure Cinder will be grateful for my aid during those trying times."
I blinked at that.
Uh-Well-That was...
Cinder, hopefully, would have better plans on it than me.
I wasn't going to do anything unless she okayed it, after all.
Marriage was a two-way street...
...though whether it was uphill or downhill, why, that was always up for debate.
I glanced up at the sky.
"How fast can magic make me fly?" I asked.
Salem turned thoughtful. "Flying would be best done with Dust, or with another method that doesn't require magic."
I was looking up at the sky from the highest tower of the castle. Because I was there, Salem was close by. She was content with just sitting with her hands in her lap, gazing at the sky or at my progress in controlling my magic.
"Why?" I asked.
"Magic is...magic is like the water from within a well," Salem mused. "If nurtured with care, and deep and plentiful enough, then it will allow for the greatest of feats. However..." she grimaced. "It is finite. Though the one you possess appears to be strong, and vast, as befitting any descendant of mine, it has a limit."
I furrowed my brows. "Really?"
Salem nodded. "Once, in the era of the Gods, the...let us say Magical Well, would replenish by virtue of the God of Destruction. Without him, it is a delicate act."
"But I don't feel like I have a limit," I muttered.
Salem chuckled at that. "There are always limits, and you would do best to learn what yours are, before you are burned by attempting to surpass them."
"Can it happen?" I asked. "Being burned by...I don't know, excessive magic?"
"Once the spell departs, once it acquires physical shape and form...then it is no different from a fire, or a column of water," Salem remarked.
I frowned. "But what if it doesn't? Like, making a fire armor or something like that-"
Salem chuckled. "It is possible, but considerably more advanced." Her eyes glanced at mine. "To have managed such a feat without instruction..." she beamed, and it felt like the most honest of smiles he had ever made, "I think the only thing that has no limit is my pride in your achievements."
I winced at that. "I...I don't even know if you're being honest, or if you're just buttering me up."
Salem grimaced, and then glanced away. "I admit...considering my past behavior, yours is a normal feeling to have." Her fingers tightened together. "It has been so long since I last felt something different from regret, or anger...and I admit I do not know how to deal with it."
"One step at the time?" I muttered as I crouched down in front of her. "It's...it's going to take time. But-but here's the deal. I'll be honest. I'll be upfront. Some things...some things I really don't like. Killing people, making them suffer-I understand protecting oneself. I understand wanting what's best for one's family, but it doesn't need to come through hurting others."
"You think Ozma will allow it?" Salem hissed. "He needs to be stopped."
"He needs to be stopped from doing what?" I retorted, calmly. "Come here? He won't. He won't go anywhere you are, Grandma. He knows you can't be defeated. And I'm not saying..." I sighed. "I'm not saying I don't understand what your points are, but it's just something I don't want to do. Maybe one day, you'll have some grandsons or granddaughters that think like you. They'll be free to make their choices on the matter, but-but I don't want to set the world on fire just so I can sit atop its ashes and proclaim myself a King or a God of nothing but despair."
"I wonder," Salem muttered, "If Cinder told you to do it, would you?"
"I will do everything I can to protect her," I answered. "If she wants to rule the world...I won't agree to it, but I won't stop her, and if she wants my help, I will give it to her."
"Even then?" Salem muttered, "Even if she asked you to do despicable things? You would still do it?"
I took a small breath. "The woman I love, grandmother, I love because of who she is. If given the choice, I know, I truly know, that she will never ask of me something I cannot, or do not want to, do."
"I see," Salem sighed. "Really, what a pity." She shook her head. "You could have the whole world. You would just have to ask me."
"But I don't want the whole world," I retorted. "I want my wife to be happy, and my family to be happy too," I added with a small smile. "What..." I swallowed, "What would make you happy, grandma? Something that doesn't have to do with ruling the world as Gods or killing people, that is. There has to be something else you love doing."
"Something I love doing?" Salem turned thoughtful. "There's...there's little I love left in this world."
She glanced at the sky. "I feel...I feel like there's only one path left for the likes of me, and it's one of revenge."
I sighed, and then sat down, my legs crossed. "Why?"
Salem blinked at that. "Why?" her voice threatened to crack. "Because it's what I deserve. After all the injustice I suffered through, I want revenge! The spite of the Gods, the hate I feel for the likes of their creations, Ozma's actions...my daughters," she whispered, "How can you ask me why I think revenge is the only answer?"
"Because..." I turned thoughtful. "The Gods kind of shot themselves in the balls already?"
"What...what kind of crass image is that?" Salem retorted, eyes half-narrow. "What are you implying?"
I cleared my throat, "The God of life is a big bag of shit!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. "His brother's even worse! He should go get fucked!"
Salem looked at me, eyes wide, "Have you gone mad?"
"Grandma, the Gods are gone from their precious world," I pointed out. "Isn't that already one victory on your side?"
"I admit, that might be so, but-"
"Also, the humans didn't ask to be born, and neither did the Faunus. You shouldn't fault them for something which isn't their fault. I understand you feel they're like a mockery of what once was humanity, but-then the blame would belong to the Gods, not to them. And the Gods have already been dealt with," I earnestly continued.
"Perhaps," Salem mumbled. "Even so-"
"Also, while Grandpa sounds like a really horrible person...maybe he was misguided? Maybe he wasn't, but what if he was? And if he truly was...maybe he's hurting just as much as you are?" I swallowed.
Here came the last part, the most difficult one.
"And as for...for your daughters, Grandma..." I whispered, "You do realize...you could have just let them leave, and recovered them later? You could have...you could have asked Ozma to fight you away from them, and he would have agreed?"
Salem's eyes widened as angry red veins started to spread from within her. "You fell in the pool of the Grimm-you didn't die, but-but it changed you, Grandma. If you think about it, you blame yourself as much as you blame Ozma, but you shouldn't blame yourself, and you shouldn't hate yourself, or Ozma either-because in the end, if the God of Destruction hadn't left a pool, and if the God of Life hadn't made you immortal...then none of this would have happened!" I hastily scrambled back as Salem screamed in incoherent rage, and then discovered just how quickly I could fly off the tower with magic.
The answer was...incredibly fast.
The top of the tower blew off.
"Anger management lessons!" I yelled as I landed on the sandy ground and rolled out of the way of a set of lightning bolts. "I'm gifting you coupons for anger management lessons, grandma!"
A column of fire spread from the tip of Salem's hands, the flames a bright blue light. They poured down towards me, but I was already dashing away, leaving behind a trail of sand turned to glass chunks. I wasn't going to fight Salem; I was going to just most valiantly run around the castle, hoping it would be enough to-
I jumped up in the air, avoiding the desert itself as it turned into maws of earth and rock.
"Grandma!" I yelled, "Grandmaaaaa!"
"Shut. Up!" Salem snarled, a literal bolt of lightning forming in her palm. "Do you think I'll allow your lack of respect!?"
"Isn't-isn't that what family's all about!?" I yelled right back, slamming a hand in front of me, a wall of air deflecting the lightning bolt off in the sky. "If I'm not allowed to call you out on things I think are stupid, then who's gonna!?"
"You cannot understand my pain!" Salem screamed, the ground below her feet bubbling now, hissing as magma started to rise from the depths of the earth.
"All that I understand is that it's been thousand of years!" I snarled right back. "You've given it back in spades, all of that pain, haven't you!? Wars! Deaths! Murders! If you feel justified in harming others, then you must justify others when they attempt to harm you!" I slammed both of my hands on the ground and with a swell of effort, a geyser of water poured out from the depths of the desert, twisting in a column of water that I directed in her direction.
The magma met the water in a sizzling explosion, steam rising up as I took a deep breath from the momentary respite.
"You're just a child, thinking the world is a better place than it truly is," Salem hissed, walking through the mist with her fists clenched.
"I'm no child, and I know the world's a shitty place," I growled right back, walking towards her. "That's why-it's up to us to be the best thing ever in the world. 'Cause the world ain't gonna provide it. We have to be the good we wish to see in the world, grandma."
I halted right in front of her, arms crossed in front of my chest. "And you need anger management classes."
"Foolishness is not something you took from me," Salem growled right back, eyes narrow. "It must be in Ozma's blood, specks of it rearing their ugly head up-"
"Ahem," I coughed, "Previous words? Flew right over your head?"
"You play a dangerous game," Salem hissed.
"And you've lost it the moment you allowed me to talk to you as an equal, grandma," I retorted with a small chuckle soon escaping my lips. "Don't you understand?" I added, "I'm not saying you aren't justified in your wrath, but I'm saying you've had the wrong target all along. If you want to kill the Gods...I'm all for it. Maybe we'll win this time around. Or, perhaps, we can just spite them by keeping the Relics separated. They'll never return to this world that way, Grandma. You've won already. Can't you see it? You've won! So why...why do you insist on wielding the sword?"
Salem bared her teeth, and then winced, looking away. "It is-It is all I have ever known how to wield," she muttered in the end.
Very gently, my arms engulfed her in a tight hug. "Then..." I mumbled, "How about we try to let go of it, grandma?"
Salem did not say a word.
Her arms carefully moved, as if afraid to break my spine in half, and she returned the hug a moment later.
"There is something that needs doing," Salem said after a short while, letting go of the hug. "One of the Relics needs to be acquired for safekeeping," she eyed me. "I will renounce all hostilities, maybe even get the Grimm to stop attacking humans-but a Relic must be in my hands, so I can make sure it's hidden from Ozma and his ilk forever."
I gave her a small nod. "Understood."
Then, I winced as realization dawned on me. "There is one Relic that's currently out in the open, isn't there?"
Salem chuckled. "The Grimm will not obey you, but they will obey me."
I arched my eyebrows.
"We'll do this together," she continued. "You are ready, after all."
"Then, we stop fighting," I said, eyeing her carefully.
"Very well," Salem mused. "Child rearing is, after all, a practice that takes much time and concentration. I am sure Cinder will be grateful for my aid during those trying times."
I blinked at that.
Uh-Well-That was...
Cinder, hopefully, would have better plans on it than me.
I wasn't going to do anything unless she okayed it, after all.
Marriage was a two-way street...
...though whether it was uphill or downhill, why, that was always up for debate.
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AnonymousRabbit
Rabbit Faced
I swear the way you make these cliffhangers is outright wizardry. How can you evoke these things every single time with each snippet? It's so impressive.
- Location
- Dreary ol' London Town
And here I was just re-reading the past few chapters. I wasn't expecting one today!
Anger management lessons lmao!! It's nice to see Salem considering Shade's words here. 'cause that's a rare thing I find. Older members of your family listening to you, that is.
Anger management lessons lmao!! It's nice to see Salem considering Shade's words here. 'cause that's a rare thing I find. Older members of your family listening to you, that is.