I awoke from my slumber with a gasp, my eyes looking at the black liquid around me. However, I wasn't concerned with that. Where was my queen? Was she safe? I fight through the liquid until I touch something cold, my other hand forming a fist before breaking the glass. It easily shatters, forcing me and the liquid out onto the ground.

I swiftly stand, hissing when the glass shards press into my hands. My head is on a swivel as I look for my queen in the room, only to spot an empty meeting hall. I try to get up again only for my legs to give way once again, sending me back to the floor. I cry out in frustration, not paying attention to the pair of footsteps approaching the room. I didn't look up when the doors open, the person rushing over to me while I try to stand once again. 

"Be calm my love." Her voice eases me as she presses my head against her torso, "Your body is still adapting." 

I relax while she runs her hand through my hair, a small smile appearing on her face. After a few minutes she coaxes me to stand, and the fourth attempt was successful. However as soon as I went to take a step my legs gave out again, Salem being quick to catch me. She steadies me and helps me out of the meeting room as she ordered a few of the guards to clean the mess. 

My queen leads us down a hall, where more guards were standing guard. We reach a room at the very end, the grimm queen opening it to reveal her bedroom. Her grip remains steady as she leads me to the bed, allowing me to push myself from her arms and flop down on the soft blankets. She sits down beside me, and I move towards her, laying my head in her lap. I bask in her attention while she cups my cheek, her fingers drawing patterns on my skin.

"What had you so frantic? You even injured yourself." The queen points out, her red eyes staring at the cuts. 

I look at my now white pale arms which were covered in cuts that were slowly healing, "I was worried about you. I woke up to darkness, I did not know if you were safe-"

Salem chuckles, one of her hands moving to my hair, "My love both of us are safe. Even if I were in danger there are thousands of grimm and grimm huntsman that stand in it's way. Nothing would be able to reach us."

She leans down pressing a kiss to my forehead. I return the affection, grabbing her hand and placing a kiss to her knuckle. I move off her lap pulling gently on her arm as I laid down. A rare smile appears on her face and she lays down next to me, allowing me to curl up in her hold. I rest my head on her chest, listening to the steady beat of her heart. My body calmed at the beat, my eyes threatening to shut after some time. Salem notices her smile reappearing while she held me closer. I wish we could stay there the whole time but sadly the moment is ruined by a knock on the door, Salem's eyes glowing red as she turned to it.

"What is it?"

"My queens," I hear Tyrian respond, "I'm afraid something requires Queen Salem's attention."

Salem sighs turning back to me, "I'm sorry my love but-"

"It's okay." I smile kissing her cheek, "I'll be fine."

She nods, placing a kiss to my lips before leaving. Their voices were rather hushed as he informed her of the situation, the two voices becoming silent as they left. I lay there for quite some time waiting for my love before trying to fall asleep. Sadly it didn't work and with an aggravated sigh I sat up. I look around the room, seeing if there was anything to entertain me but there was nothing. I decide to go for a walk around the castle, and carefully stand from the bed. I bite my lip nervously as I take a step forward, fully expecting to fall on my face. Surprisingly I don't, my legs being quite stable despite earlier failures.

I make my way to the door, peeking my head out as I opened it. The guards glanced at me while I exited the room, but none made a move to follow me. I retrace our steps from before, traveling through the more familiar parts of the castle. I glance down while I pass the windows, watching a few beowolfs emerge from the dark pools. I swiftly move on, a few grimm hunters and huntresses smiling and waving at me while I passed. I return their gestures, not keeping tack of where I was going as I entered less trafficked halls.

I travel deeper into the castle, the halls becoming empty except for a few guards and seers. They didn't seem to mind that I was there, their gazes remaining straight as I passed them. Although unbeknownst to me one of the seers alert Salem, it's yellow eye flashing as it did so. I go into one of the cell blocks, peeking into a few to see some people still transforming while others held unconscious humans and faunus. That was until I arrived at the last cell. The short brown-haired boy emitted some kind of energy that felt familiar to me for some reason. I try to pinpoint why when he suddenly raised his head, his hazel eyes staring into my red ones.

"Y/N?"

"How do you know my name?"

"What do you mean? You've known me and Salem for centuries."

"I only know my queen. Who are you?"

"It's me, Ozma." 

The name did sound familiar but there were still no memories of him, "I'm sorry but I don't remember you."

"I see she turned you into one of her pets. Although I did not realize she could affect memories-"

"I'm more than a pet." I snarl my eyes glowing as my anger rises.

"Y/N just listen to me. You were neutral in our conflict. You didn't want to help me or Salem because you were, are, our friend. When she won you were disgusted by what she did. To the families, to the children, to everything-"

"Still manipulative as ever I see." Salem suddenly speaks and I shuffle against the wall as she stops in front of me, staring down Ozma. 

"I'm only telling her the truth! When she remembers-"

"Silence." Salem commands him, summoning grimm hands to force the boy to the ground muffling his words. 

She gives him one last glare before grabbing my wrist. My queen leads us away but for some reason I was hanging onto the boy's, no Ozma's words. I mean I've always been loyal to Salem, haven't I? I have no memories of ever fighting her or leaving her side.

"Is," I begin gaining her attention, "Is what he said true?"

She stops, turning to me and cups my cheeks, "Ozma has always been and will continue to be a liar. He only said those things to turn you against me for his own benefit. It's the only thing he knows. He'd come up with anything to tear us apart."

I nod, leaning into her touch with a purr. 

"Come let us retreat back to bed." 

She grasps my hand leading me back to the entrance. Although when we got there she suddenly stopped, turning her angry gaze to the guards. They shuffled in their spots before they fell to their knees, their bodies smoking when Salem closed her fist. They cry out for pain and mercy, begging her for her forgiveness. I shift backwards my eyes staying on my love while she continued with the torture.

"Do not let this happen again." She growls finally bringing their pain to an end.

She turns to me, her red eyes meeting my frightened ones. My queen frowns walking towards me as I back myself into the wall.

"You have no need to fear me my love. I would never do that to you." Salem states pulling against her front, "I only did that to them because they allowed you to get close to Ozma. Even though he is weak, he is a danger to you. That is why I keep him here, where I can keep an eye on him and prevent him from causing chaos."

"But he is just a boy-"

"That's his host Oscar. The boy is slowly loosing the battle against Ozma, his thoughts and movements no longer becoming his own."

I frown, feeling sorry for the boy who won't get a chance to experience childhood and become his own person. Salem's arms wrapped around me, bringing me into a hug as she pressed a kiss to my head. She pulls away, guiding me away from the still hurting guards and back to our bedroom.