RWBY: Moon Reflection

The White Fang operatives charged at Crimson, their weapons drawn and their resolve unshaken despite the fear that lingered in the air. But Crimson did not wait for them to close the distance. Instead, he moved first, a blur of deadly precision and intent. His katana gleamed under the faint light as he rushed forward, targeting Yuma and Trifa with swift ferocity.

With a single calculated motion, Crimson struck between the two, separating them from one another. Yuma's massive frame staggered back under the force of Crimson's assault, while Trifa barely managed to recover her balance. But Crimson was relentless. Ignoring Yuma for the moment, he focused entirely on Trifa. His strikes came fast and hard, an unending torrent that left her no room to counter or defend. Trifa's aura flickered weakly under the onslaught, each blow wearing it down further. She tried to evade, her movements frantic, but Crimson's speed outmatched her every attempt.

Her aura shattered with a final, resounding crack, leaving her defenseless. The next swing of Crimson's blade was decisive. The katana arced through the air in a flash, and before anyone could intervene, Trifa's head was separated from her body. Her lifeless form crumpled to the ground, her blood pooling beneath her as the forest fell silent in shock.

Yuma roared in fury, his voice echoing through the trees as he charged at Crimson with reckless abandon. But Crimson paid him no mind. Instead, he dashed toward the remaining White Fang operatives, his katana carving through the air with deadly precision. Most of them had no aura to shield them, and those who did barely possessed enough to offer any resistance. Each strike from Crimson's blade was fatal, slicing through their ranks with horrifying efficiency.

The battle was over in seconds. Bodies littered the ground, the faint smell of blood filling the air. Yuma, panting heavily, tried to keep up with Crimson's devastating pace, but his enemy's speed was unparalleled. As Yuma came to a halt, his eyes widened in horror at the carnage before him. The once-determined group of operatives lay motionless, their lives snuffed out in an instant.

Kali, standing a short distance away, closed her eyes tightly and covered her ears, her body trembling uncontrollably. The sight and sound of the massacre were too much to bear. She turned her face away, unable to witness the scene any longer.

Yuma's voice broke the silence, filled with rage and desperation. "You're a human beast! You'll pay for this, I swear it!" He launched himself at Crimson with everything he had, his bat-like wings spread wide as he aimed a powerful strike at his foe.

Crimson, unfazed by the words, met Yuma's charge head-on. His katana moved with deadly grace, delivering blow after blow with ruthless efficiency. Yuma managed to block the first few strikes, his strength barely holding against Crimson's unrelenting attacks. But the relentless onslaught proved too much. His defenses crumbled, and with one final, devastating strike, Crimson brought him down. Yuma's massive form collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Crimson stood amidst the carnage, his katana dripping with blood. His gaze shifted upward, scanning the treetops as if searching for something unseen. His brow furrowed in slight frustration when he found nothing of note. Turning back to Kali, he spoke, his voice calm yet commanding. "Move."

Kali flinched at the sound, her body tensing as she forced herself to comply. She averted her eyes from the bodies scattered around her, focusing instead on the path ahead. Her steps were unsteady, her dread growing with every passing moment. Crimson followed silently behind her, his presence a constant, oppressive weight.

Unbeknownst to them, a figure emerged from the shadows of the forest. Ilia Amitola stepped into the clearing, her eyes wide with shock and horror at the scene before her. Her stomach churned, and she doubled over, vomiting as the reality of the slaughter set in. She had hidden herself when the fight began, hoping for an opportunity to strike Crimson from the shadows. But the sheer brutality of his assault had paralyzed her with fear, leaving her unable to act.

Now, as the last survivor of her group, Ilia clenched her fists, her body trembling with a mix of anger and grief. "I'll make you pay for this," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Her resolve hardened as she turned away from the carnage, disappearing into the forest. She would not face Crimson now, but she swore to herself that she would avenge her fallen friends and comrades. For now, she had to escape and warn the others of the bloodthirsty monster heading their way.

_____________________________

Crimson and Kali approached the secluded White Fang branch slowly. The dense forest thinned out, revealing the structure nestled among the trees. The Albain brothers, Fennec and Corsac, stood in front of the entrance, their expressions grim and wary. Crimson's arrival meant their people had failed and they felt the dread for their fates.

Fennec took a step forward, his golden eyes narrowing. "What happened to our brothers and sisters?" he demanded, his tone sharp yet edged with unease. Though the answer seemed obvious, confirmation was crucial.

Kali shivered beside Crimson, her hands trembling as she stared at the ground. Her voice wavered as she responded, "They are all gone. Every single one of them." She forced herself to look up at the brothers, tears glistening in her eyes. "This madness has to end. Adam's actions do not represent the White Fang, and you know it. You have been searching for him to punish him for what he's done."

The Albain brothers exchanged a glance, their minds racing. They considered taking advantage of the situation—perhaps they could lull Crimson into a false sense of security and strike when he was off guard. However, their scheming was cut short when Crimson unsheathed his katana. The blade gleamed ominously, and his voice cut through the air like the weapon he held.

"Enough," Crimson said coldly. "Let's skip the games. Tell me what the White Fang is planning next."

Fennec's brow furrowed. He glanced at Corsac, who gave a subtle nod. "It is as the chieftain's wife said," Fennec replied, his voice steady despite the rising tension. "We have no connection to Adam's actions, nor do we condone them."

Crimson's crimson gaze darkened, and his grip on the katana tightened. "This is your last chance," he warned. "Tell me the truth, or I will kill you both."

The ominous tone of his voice put the brothers on high alert. They exchanged another look, silently agreeing to maintain their lie. But before they could act, Crimson moved. With a burst of speed, he closed the gap between them, launching a series of relentless attacks intended to split them apart.

The brothers scrambled to defend themselves, but Crimson's ferocity overwhelmed them. His strikes forced Corsac to retreat, isolating him from his brother. Focusing all his power on Corsac, Crimson shattered his aura with an onslaught of heavy, precise blows. As Corsac staggered, Crimson delivered a devastating slash that severed his arm.

Corsac cried out in agony, collapsing to his knees. Crimson placed the blade of his katana against Corsac's neck, his voice cold and unwavering. "Tell me what I want to know," he said, his eyes locking onto Fennec's. "I'll let him live, but only if you spill everything. And don't think you can lie to me—I already know the White Fang is planning something in Mistral."

Crimson knew his uncle, Qrow, was concerned about strange movement in Mistral and went there to investigate. In addition, Cinder and her team came from there and since they are all working with White Fang, there was a good chance Adam and his bunch were there as well.

Fennec froze, his mind reeling. The mention of Mistral sent a jolt of fear through him. Seeing his brother's bloodied and broken form, he realized the stakes. "If I tell you," Fennec asked hesitantly, "will you really spare him?"

Crimson gave a curt nod. "As long as you tell me what I want to know, I keep my words"

Swallowing his fear, Fennec relented. "We're planning to repeat what was done in Vale," he admitted, his voice laced with bitterness. "This time, it's Haven Academy."

Kali gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "How could you?" she exclaimed, horror evident in her voice. "That's crossing every line, destroying everything the White Fang was meant to stand for."

Fennec scowled at her, his voice rising in anger. "Lines don't matter anymore! This is the only way to make humans respect us. Fear is the only thing they understand."

To everyone's shock, Crimson chuckled darkly. "For once, we agree," he said, his voice cold and devoid of empathy. "By doing this, the White Fang will become a memory—a cautionary tale to show that peace is better than violence."

He shifted his gaze back to Corsac, who was clutching his wounded arm. Without warning, Crimson raised his katana and sliced through Corsac's other arm. "As long as you're alive," Crimson said, his tone mocking, "I've kept my word."

Fennec roared in fury, drawing his weapon and charging at Crimson. But Crimson's speed and strength far surpassed his own. In a single swift motion, Crimson dodged Fennec's strike and countered, his blade finding its mark. Fennec's head separated from his body, and his lifeless form crumpled to the ground.

Crimson sheathed his katana and turned to leave, his expression unchanged. Kali remained frozen, her wide eyes fixed on the gruesome scene. Her body trembled as she struggled to process the sight she had witnessed.

"Here is your answer," Crimson said, his voice devoid of emotion.

Kali lowered her head, not willing to see the gruesome site. Seeing such violence and hearing what the White Fang is planning broke her. She didn't think things would get this bad.