Story
Chapter 18: Chromatic Crescendo
As Nyx and the others try to drive Vocivus back to the Void, Ozzy does his best to set things right.
Ozzy
I... I don’t have to be grey anymore?
Ozzy
... ... ...
Ozzy
*Sigh*
Ozzy
I’m sorry, Queen Fyora. But I must respectfully decline.
Fyora
Oh?
Ozzy
So much of this started because I didn’t... I didn’t like myself. The whole world felt drab and grey and gloomy, so I thought I was doomed to feel—to be the same.
Ozzy
I didn’t know how to love myself. I needed other people to love me instead.
Nyx
Ozzy...
Ozzy
But I don’t need that anymore. I think... I think that I can finally start to look on the sunny side of things, even if it’s still hard for me.
Ozzy
I’ve accepted who I am. I’m Ozzy, and I’m no longer the Grey Painter. I’m just a grey Yurble, and I’m worthy of love because of that, not despite it.
Fyora
Hear, hear!
Styx
Arf arf arf!
Fyora
And of course I couldn’t forget about you, little one. Are you happy now that you’ve been reunited with your friend?
Styx
Ruff! Arf arf arf!
Fyora
What’s that? You... want to match him?
Styx
Ruff!
Fyora
I see... So you wish to be turned Grey again.
Styx
Arf! Arf arf rrrr-ruff! Arf arf!
Fyora
Who am I to argue with that? If that is what will make you happy, then I will gladly see that it is done.
Styx
Arf!
Fyora
And with that, I must bid you all farewell. There is much to set in order so that Faerieland can rebuild, and the wounds of our pasts can begin to heal.
Fyora
Goodbye, everyone.
(...)
... ... ...
Ozzy
Wait!
Fyora
...? Yes, Ozzy?
Ozzy
Queen Fyora... Or, er, just Fyora...
Ozzy
I... I’m sorry!
Fyora
Hm?
Ozzy
For... for everything I’ve done. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for any of it to happen, and I know you know that, but I still chose to grey out all those lands, and I still chose to hurt people.
Ozzy
What I did was terrible. Apologising isn’t enough; there has to be something I can do to make up for all the destruction I caused!
Nyx
It wasn’t your—
Ozzy
But it was my fault. I was sad and lonely and I didn’t know how to deal with it, so I tried to hurt the world to make myself feel better. I need to atone for what I’ve done.
Nyx
...
Nyx
I understand. We’ve all made mistakes, and we all have to work toward fixing them. Just know that I’ll support you every step of the way, okay?
Ozzy
Thank you, Nyxie.
Fyora
You have a generous heart, Ozzy.
Fyora
And I understand your sentiment, but it is not my place to decide on any more punishments.
Fyora
Even if my intentions were noble, I’ve caused enough problems in the past thinking I was enacting justice.
Fyora
But if you are truly set on atonement...
Fyora
I will have to consult the council. Luxinia, Iridesia? What do you think?
Luxinia
I think I might know what he’s feeling...
Iridesia
And I think I know just how we can all fix things, and make everything right.