RWBY: Moon Reflection

Crimson held his katana steady, the tip resting dangerously close to Ghira's neck. His crimson eyes swept over the faunus surrounding him, their expressions a mixture of fear, anger, and despair.

He tilted his head slightly, his tone devoid of emotion. "I'll give you all a fair trade. One of you will guide me to the White Fang. In return, I'll graciously let you all go on your merry way to protect the civilians. And I'll even spare your leader here." He pressed the blade closer, making Ghira flinch slightly.

The crowd shifted uncomfortably, whispers breaking out among the faunus. Crimson's gaze shifted to the woman standing beside Blake. He studied her for a moment, his sharp instincts confirming what he had already suspected. "You," he called, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "You must be her mother."

Kali froze, her eyes meeting his. She didn't speak, but her protective posture over Blake confirmed his assumption. Crimson's lips curled into a faint, cruel smile. "So, what's it going to be? Will you guide me? Or would you rather have a headless husband?"

Blake's face turned red with anger, and she stepped forward, trembling with fury. "How dare you!" she shouted, her voice cracking with emotion. "What would Ruby and Yang think of you if they knew what you're doing here?"

Crimson turned his attention to her, his expression unchanging. Her words hung in the air for a moment before he chuckled softly. "Ruby and Yang?" he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "I already know what they'd think. They'd be horrified of me for this, no doubt. But that doesn't matter." His smile faded, replaced by a cold, steely gaze. "As long as I eradicate the White Fang, nothing else matters."

Kali stepped forward, her movements deliberate and calm, though her face betrayed her inner turmoil. "I'll do it," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the fear in her heart.

Blake turned to her mother in shock, grabbing her arm. "Mom, no! You can't!"

Kali placed a hand on Blake's shoulder, her touch gentle but resolute. "Blake, we have no choice," she said softly. "The Grimm are here, and protecting our people is more important than anything else right now." She glanced at Ghira, who had lowered his head in shame. "Your father made a mistake attacking recklessly, and we need to fix this."

Ghira let out a heavy sigh, his head still bowed. "She's right," he admitted, his voice filled with regret. "I let my emotions cloud my judgment. I'm sorry, Kali."

Sun placed a hand on Blake's shoulder, his expression serious but understanding. "We need to go, Blake," he said quietly. "We'll come back, but right now, we have to stop the grimm."

Blake looked at Crimson, her anger replaced by desperation. "Please," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "Don't harm my parents anymore."

Crimson regarded her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he gave a curt nod. "As long as they guide me without tricks, I won't harm them. But if anyone tries anything..." He didn't need to finish the sentence; the weight of his earlier actions made the threat clear.

Reluctantly, Blake and Sun turned away, leading the remaining faunus to safety. Crimson watched them go, then lowered his katana. Without another glance at Gihara, he walked past the kneeling chieftain and toward Kali, who stood waiting.

Kali glanced back at her husband, worry etched into her features. Ghira met her eyes, his expression filled with pain and regret, but he gave her a small nod.

Turning back to Crimson, Kali swallowed hard and began to walk, her steps silent but deliberate. Crimson followed her without a word, his katana resting at his side. The two figures disappeared into the distance, leaving behind a battered town, a broken leader, and a shaken daughter

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The air was heavy with tension in the White Fang's hidden base in Menagerie. The Albain brothers, Fennec and Corsac, sat in their dimly lit chamber, a mix of urgency and dread evident on their faces. The news had reached them swiftly—Crimson Rose, the infamous "Moon Demon" known for his merciless actions against the White Fang, had arrived in Kuo Kuana. The chilling details of his rampage spread like wildfire: dozens of guards slain, Ghira Belladonna defeated, and now the Grimm prowling the kuo kuana in response to the chaos.

Fennec folded his hands, his voice calm but urgent. "This cannot stand. His presence here is a direct threat to everything we've built."

Corsac nodded, his expression grim. "We have no choice but to act swiftly. If Crimson reaches us, we may lose more than just our standing in Menagerie—we risk exposing the entire operation."

Fennec turned to the two faunus standing before them: Trifa, a lithe woman with arachnid features, and Yuma, a hulking man with the strength to match his intimidating frame. "You both understand the gravity of this situation," Fennec said. "Crimson Rose must be stopped before he reaches our base."

"Take every available member with you," Corsac added, his voice steely. "This is not a mission for restraint. Eliminate him by any means necessary."

Trifa and Yuma exchanged glances, their expressions resolute. "Understood," Trifa said, her voice cold and measured.

Without another word, the two faunus departed, gathering the available White Fang operatives to confront the approaching threat.

Once the group was gone, Corsac turned to a secure communication device and initiated contact with Adam Taurus. The screen flickered to life, revealing the familiar visage of the masked faunus. Adam's red hair caught the faint light, and his piercing gaze locked onto the brothers.

"What is it?" Adam demanded, his tone sharp.

Fennec spoke first. "We have an urgent situation. Crimson Rose is here in Kuo Kuana. He's already killed dozens and stirred enough chaos to attract Grimm. His reputation precedes him, and it seems he intends to reach us."

Adam's eyes narrowed, and his hand clenched into a fist. "Crimson Rose... That butcher has already spilled too much faunus blood. He cannot be allowed to leave Menagerie alive."

Corsac stepped in. "We've sent Trifa, Yuma, and our operatives to intercept him. But his actions here may serve another purpose."

Adam raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

Fennec leaned closer to the screen. "The chaos he's caused has put Belladonna's peaceful approach to an end. With the Grimm attacking and their leader humiliated, this is an opportunity to sway Sienna Khan. She'll see this as proof that humans will always bring destruction to the faunus."

A slow, cruel smirk spread across Adam's face. "Perfect. I've been looking for a way to convince her to support the attack on Haven Academy. Now, I have all the evidence I need."

"Good," Corsac replied. "Use this chance wisely. But remember, there can be no loose ends. We will make sure Crimson will die here."

Adam's smirk deepened. "Don't worry. Just focus on your end"

The communication ended, leaving the Albain brothers in silence. Fennec's expression darkened as he turned to Corsac. "Now, all we can do is wait."

Corsac nodded solemnly. "One way or another, this will be resolved. Crimson Rose must die here."

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Not far away, Crimson and Kali walked in silence through the dense forest paths of Menagerie, the sounds of the distant alarms fading. The forest air seemed to press in on them as Crimson and Kali walked in silence, the only sounds being the crunch of their footsteps on the forest floor and the distant rustle of leaves. Kali's mind swirled with thoughts, frustration, and fear. Unable to bear the oppressive quiet any longer, she finally spoke, her voice hesitant but steady.

"Blake spoke about you," she began, keeping her gaze ahead. "She always said you were smart, strong, and a caring brother. I think she looked up to you, you know. Despite everything I've heard about you—the rumors, the stories—I wanted to believe you were a good person." She glanced at him, her expression troubled. "But what you've done here... it's no different from Adam. You've brought death and danger to this place, a peaceful home, all out of spite and vengeance. It's only going to make things worse."

Crimson didn't look at her or even change his pace. His expression remained cold and unreadable. For a moment, Kali thought he wouldn't respond, but then his voice broke the silence, calm and deliberate.

"Things will get worse eventually," he said, his tone devoid of emotion. "As long as the White Fang exists, the threat lingers. What happened to Vale can happen to any kingdom. I plan to eliminate that threat, nothing more."

Kali frowned, shaking her head. "That's not true," she said firmly. "The White Fang in Vale operated without the knowledge or approval of the rest. They betrayed what we stood for, and they will be punished for their actions. You don't have to do this."

Crimson's steps slowed slightly as he glanced at her. "I doubt that," he said coldly. "Considering the scale of their operation, it's hard to believe they acted without support. But we'll find out soon enough."

Before Kali could respond, Crimson suddenly stopped, his hand rising slightly to signal her to do the same. "Stop," he said, his voice low and sharp.

Kali blinked in confusion, looking around. "What is it?"

"They're coming," Crimson said flatly.

The next moment, his katana was unsheathed in a blur of motion, the blade gleaming in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. He raised it just in time to block a strike that came from above, the clash of metal ringing through the air.

A bat-winged man descended silently from the treetops, his eyes glinting as he pressed against Crimson's blade. His surprise at being parried was evident as he leaped back gracefully, landing several feet away in a crouch.

Kali gasped, her heart racing as the tension in the air grew palpable. Before she could react further, figures began emerging from the shadows—White Fang operatives armed with swords, axes, and firearms surrounded them in a tight circle.

The bat-winged man sneered, his voice mocking. "So, this is the infamous Moon Demon. You're smaller than the stories made you out to be."

Crimson didn't respond, his crimson gaze scanning the enemies around him. His stance remained calm, his katana steady in his hands.

Kali stepped back instinctively, her eyes darting to the operatives encircling them. She realized just how many there were and a glance at Crimson's calm form gave her a strange sense of dread.

Kali said urgently "Yuma wait!! Enough blood shed already!! All of this is because of Adam and his group, and has nothing to do with the faunus here or the rest of the White Fang. Just call the Albain brothers and let them clarify this"

The bat-winged man looked at her for a moment hesitating but a woman came to his side and said angrily "He already killed many of us, we will not let go and forgive now. And you betrayed us and led him right to us!!"

Hearing this, Yuma face showed resolve as he signaled his allies "Kill him"

The White Fang operatives moved as one, weapons raised and determination in their eyes. But Crimson didn't flinch. His face didn't show any emotion as he spoke in chilling voice "Since you are not the leaders, there is no need for me to keep you "