RWBY: Moon Reflection

Crimson didn't wait for Kali's answer. His gaze stayed fixed forward as he walked, his strides deliberate and unhurried, leaving Kali behind. She remained frozen, the weight of the carnage and revelations hanging over her like a storm cloud. Her legs trembled, her lips parted as if to call out to him, but no sound escaped.

He barely passed her when distant voices began to echo through the forest. Kali's ears twitched, catching the rising murmur of a crowd. She turned, panic gripping her, unsure of what fresh conflict this might bring. Crimson continued walking, unperturbed, until he too halted, hearing the sounds of the approaching group.

From the shadows of the trees emerged Ghira, his bandaged hand still stained with blood. Behind him were Blake, Sun, several guards, and a gathering of nearly a hundred Faunus. The group spread out, surrounding Crimson in a loose but intentional circle. Their faces were weary, their clothes dusted and streaked with the evidence of recent battles. Some carried visible wounds; it was clear their struggle against the Grimm had been harrowing.

Ghira stepped forward, his expression a mixture of anger and sorrow. His voice was low and grim as he addressed Crimson.

"We found the White Fang operatives on our way here. All of them… slaughtered. You are a bloodthirsty monster, worse than Adam ever was."

As he spoke, the Faunus around him drew their weapons. Even Blake and Sun, their faces etched with hesitation, joined the others in readying themselves for a fight. Crimson's eyes scanned the crowd, his expression as calm and emotionless as ever, betraying no hint of fear or remorse.

"Stop this madness!" Kali's voice broke through the tension, desperate and shaking. She stepped forward, her hands raised. "Enough people have died already! Please, I beg you, don't throw your lives away for nothing!"

Ghira glared at her, frustration boiling over. "How can we just stand by, Kali? This monster killed tens of our people—Faunus who had nothing to do with the attack on Vale! He brought the Grimm to us, and because of him, we've lost so many more! For what? What reason could possibly justify all this carnage?"

Crimson, who had remained silent up until this point, let out a faint, mirthless smile. His eyes flicked toward Kali. "Go on," he said in a quiet but cutting tone. "Tell them what you heard. Maybe it will wake your husband from his delusions."

His words shifted the crowd's attention to Kali. She hesitated, her nails digging into her palms as her fists clenched tightly. She looked at the faces around her, saw the anger, confusion, and grief in their eyes, and took a shaky breath.

"The White Fang knew about the attack on Vale," she said, her voice trembling. "And now… they're planning to do it again. They're going after Haven Academy. They want to repeat what happened in Vale."

A ripple of shock passed through the gathered Faunus. Murmurs spread among them, disbelief and unease mixing with their anger. Many of them had believed in the White Fang's cause, convinced they were fighting for justice and equality. This revelation shattered that illusion.

Crimson's voice cut through the murmurs like a blade. "So, it turns out my actions weren't blind and quite justified. All of those White Fang you mourn were terrorists, those who died or got injured were to protect that kind of filth. Now, I'm heading to Haven. Pray their attack will fail this time, because if it doesn't you might have a war on your door steps"

His words froze the crowd. Some lowered their weapons, fear or doubt overtaking them. Others hesitated, unsure whether their loyalty to the White Fang's ideals was worth risking their lives for. Ghirra stood rigid, his uninjured hand clenched into a tight fist. His mind raced as he struggled to decide. Fighting Crimson would lead to more deaths, yet letting him walk away felt like a betrayal of everything they stood for.

Seeing their hesitation, Crimson took a step forward, his movements deliberate. The gathered Faunus tensed, their weapons raised slightly, but none dared attack. His voice was colder than ever as he spoke.

"You're wasting my time. My sister and uncle should be in Haven Academy now, and I need to be there. If anyone tries to stop me, I'll kill them. Simple as that."

Without another word, he began walking through the crowd, his presence like a storm cloud passing among them. The Faunus parted reluctantly, their fear outweighing their anger. Ghira, Blake, and Sun watched him go, torn between action and inaction. Crimson didn't spare them another glance as walked past the crowd.

"Wait!" Blake's voice was clear and determined, coming from behind him.

Crimson stopped, turning his head slightly to glance back. His crimson eyes narrowed as he watched Blake step forward, her resolve apparent. "I'm coming with you," she declared, her voice firm.

The announcement shocked everyone, including Crimson. His brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

"No, absolutely not!" Kali's voice trembled with a mix of fear and disbelief. She rushed toward her daughter, her arms outstretched as if to pull her back. "Blake, you've seen what he's capable of! He's a monster! If he decides to harm you, you will have no way to defend yourself!"

Ghira stepped forward as well, his expression stern. "Kali's right. He won't care who you are if you stand in his way. He's dangerous, Blake—far too dangerous."

Blake turned to face her parents, her golden eyes filled with both determination and sorrow. "I have to go," she said softly but firmly. "The White Fang has to be stopped—for everyone's safety, especially the Faunus. If we let them continue, they'll destroy everything we've worked so hard to achieve."

Her gaze shifted to the ground for a moment before she continued. "And… my friends are in Haven Academy. My teammates are there. I need to go to them, to help them."

Crimson's cold, emotionless voice cut through the moment. "Since when do you care?" he asked, his tone dripping with disdain. "Didn't you leave them without a word after everything they did for you?"

Blake winced at his words but didn't respond.

Crimson's gaze bore into her as he continued, his voice harsher now. "You're a hypocrite. First, you defended the White Fang's actions, and now you pretend to be some noble hero? Don't kid yourself. You are nothing but a traitor."

Blake lowered her head, shame washing over her. She took a deep breath before speaking, her voice quiet but steady. "You're right," she admitted. "I felt guilty and afraid back then. I defended the White Fang, and it led to the destruction of Beacon Academy and devastation in Vale. My partner, my friend, Yang… she protected me and lost her fingers because of it." Her voice faltered, but she pressed on. "I couldn't face her after that, I couldn't see the result of my blind actions, so I ran away. But now… if they're in danger, I have to go to them. I won't run anymore."

Sun stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Blake's shoulder. "She's not evil," he said with a grin. "She's just a little…. shy, that's all."

Crimson watched them in silence for a few moments before turning away. Without a word, he resumed walking, his figure disappearing further into the trees.

Kali approached her daughter, desperation in her voice. "Blake, you can't go with him. He's too dangerous!"

Blake nodded but didn't waver. "I know, Mom," she said gently. "But as long as I don't stand in his way, he won't harm me. Once I reach Haven and meet up with my teammates, Crimson will become harmless, tame even. He wouldn't dare hurt me in front of his sisters."

Her words brought no comfort to Kali, who shook her head in worry.

Sun stepped closer, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness. "I will go with her," he said. "I will make sure she's safe."

Ghira stood silent, deep in thought. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Be careful, Blake," he said. "And do your best to avoid Crimson's ire. Don't give him a reason to turn on you."

Kali stared at him in disbelief. "How can you approve of this?" she demanded.

Ghira sighed heavily, his expression weary. "As much as I hate to admit it," he said, "Crimson warned us—several times. If he were completely unreasonable, he could have used the Grimm to maximize the damage. He didn't. That means there is still some restraint in him, no matter how faint."

Kali bit her lip, her eyes filled with worry. "I hope you're right," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She turned back to Blake, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch her daughter's face. "Please… stay safe."

Blake nodded, her resolve unwavering. "I will, Mom," she said. "I promise."

With that, she turned and began walking, Sun by her side, following the path Crimson had taken. Kali watched them go, her heart heavy with dread. All she could do now was pray for her daughter's safety.