The morning sun crept through the window as Crimson stirred from his sleep. His body felt heavy but rested, the ache of his injuries dulled to a manageable throb. Opening his eyes, he found Ruby and Yang perched beside him on the bed. Ruby's bright eyes lit up when she saw him stir, while Yang looked down, her hands clasped tightly together.
"Crimson!" Ruby exclaimed, leaning closer. "You're awake!"
Yang looked up, her violet eyes meeting his. "Crimson, I…" she began, her voice faltering. She looked away briefly before continuing. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have run off like that. I promise, I won't do something like that behind your back again."
Crimson gave her a faint smile, his voice hoarse but warm. "It's okay, Yang. Just… Don't run alone next time."
Their father entered the room moments later, his usual stern demeanor softened by relief. Taiyang sat on the edge of the bed, his hand resting on Crimson's shoulder. "I'm glad you're okay, son," Tai said, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "You did something incredible back there. I'm proud of you."
Crimson nodded, feeling a mixture of warmth and unease. He wasn't sure if "proud" was the word he'd use to describe his feelings about what had happened, but his father's words still comforted him.
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The next three days passed in a blur of rest and quiet moments. Yang and Ruby rarely left his side, each doing their best to keep him company and distract him with stories or small games. Tai and Qrow kept watch, their presence steady and reassuring, though Crimson couldn't help but notice the quiet conversations they sometimes had in the hallway, their tones low and concerned.
On the fourth morning, Crimson woke earlier than usual. The sunlight filtering through the window felt brighter, sharper. He stretched and sat up, his body feeling strangely… different. Stronger. Lighter. There was a strange energy coursing through him, subtle but undeniable. As he swung his legs over the side of the bed, fragments of his dream flashed in his mind. The battlefield. The moon. The demon with six eyes.
He shook his head, dismissing the thoughts as remnants of a nightmare. "It's nothing," he muttered to himself, rising to his feet.
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In the kitchen, the scent of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee greeted him. Tai was at the stove, flipping pancakes, while Qrow leaned against the counter with a mug in hand.
"Morning, champ," Qrow greeted, raising his mug slightly.
Tai turned, his expression softening. "You're up early. Shouldn't you be resting?"
"I feel fine," Crimson replied, walking toward them. "Can I help with breakfast?"
Tai and Qrow exchanged a glance. "You sure?" Tai asked. "If you're not up to it—"
"I'm fine," Crimson insisted.
With a small nod, Tai relented. "Alright. You can chop the tomatoes. Just be careful."
Crimson walked to the counter, picking up a knife and a ripe tomato. As he positioned the blade, something caught his eye in its reflection. For a moment, he didn't see his own face. Instead, six eyes, burning with malevolent intensity, stared back at him from the polished surface.
His breath hitched, and the knife slipped from his grasp, clattering onto the counter. Without a word, Crimson turned and bolted from the kitchen, his hand covering his face.
"Crimson?" Tai called after him, concern lacing his voice.
Qrow set his mug down, his expression turning serious. "What the hell just happened?"
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Crimson locked the bathroom door behind him, his chest heaving. He leaned over the sink, gripping its edges as he forced himself to look into the mirror.
At first, his reflection was normal. But as he stared, Kokushibo's visage began to form, the six eyes glaring back at him with a predatory intensity. Crimson's breath quickened, and he splashed cold water onto his face, his hands trembling. When he looked again, the demon was gone.
But something else remained.
Across his face, faint but unmistakable, was a mark—a jagged, flame-like design etched across his skin. Crimson stared at it, his mind racing.
From outside the bathroom door, Tai and Qrow's voices filtered through.
"Crimson, are you alright?" Tai called, his tone firm but worried.
"Open the door, kid," Qrow added, his usual gruffness softened.
Crimson took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. As he exhaled, the mark faded, disappearing entirely. He touched his face, his fingers brushing over smooth, unmarked skin.
After a moment, he unlocked the door and stepped out. Tai and Qrow immediately moved toward him, their concern evident.
"You okay?" Tai asked, his hand on Crimson's shoulder.
Crimson nodded slowly. "You're right. I don't feel… alright," he admitted, his voice low. "I think I need to lie down."
Tai hesitated but nodded. "Go get some rest," he said, watching as Crimson walked back to his room.
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Once the boy was out of earshot, Qrow turned to Tai, his expression grim. "What was that about?"
Tai crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "I don't know, but it started when he picked up the knife."
"You think it's trauma? From the other day?" Qrow suggested, though his tone betrayed doubt.
"Maybe, despite his maturity he is still a child" Tai replied. "Even adults are traumatized by grimm"
Qrow glanced down the hallway where Crimson had disappeared. "We need to keep an eye on him."
Tai nodded, his jaw tightening. "Agreed."
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In his room, Crimson sat on the edge of his bed, his hands resting on his knees. He stared at the floor, his thoughts swirling in turmoil. The memory of Kokushibo, the mark on his face, and the strange energy coursing through him played on a relentless loop.
"What's happening to me?" he whispered, his voice heavy with uncertainty.
He glanced to his side where Ruby and Yang lay sleeping, their peaceful faces a stark contrast to his inner chaos. For a moment, he hesitated. Then, resolving to find clarity, he quietly left the room and headed to the bathroom.
Standing before the mirror, Crimson scrutinized his reflection. "No extra eyes, no jagged flame mark," he murmured to himself, his voice tinged with apprehension.
Closing his eyes, he focused on the sensation he remembered from when the mark first appeared. Slowly, as he opened his eyes, the mark reemerged—a jagged, flame-like pattern etched across his skin. It looked just as it had in his previous life. But something felt… different. The mark carried a foreign resonance, something he couldn't quite place.
[Am I going to die in twenty years?] Crimson couldn't help but ask himself. But he killed these thoughts as he continued.
Taking a deep breath, Crimson began to focus on the breathing forms he had used as a demon. Moon Breathing techniques flooded back into his mind. He felt his skin begin to change, and his eyes shift—until a flash of alarm stopped him in his tracks. Crimson immediately halted the transformation, watching as his body returned to its normal state. Even the mark faded away.
[I'm turning into a demon… But I've been using Moon Breathing instinctively since my rebirth. Why now? And why does it feel so different?] Crimson wondered silently, dread settling in his chest.
"Crimson, are you in there?" Yang's sleepy voice came from outside the bathroom door.
"Yeah," Crimson called back. "I'm done. Just give me a moment."
With a weary sigh, he resolved to deal with the mystery later.
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The day carried on as usual, though the atmosphere was far from normal. Ruby and Yang were their usual hyperactive selves, darting around the house with boundless energy. But Crimson couldn't shake the unease, and it didn't go unnoticed by Tai and Qrow. They exchanged glances throughout the day, their concern growing as they saw him zoning out repeatedly.
By evening, Qrow kept the girls occupied while Tai pulled Crimson aside for a conversation.
"Crimson," Tai began, his voice firm yet gentle, "are you okay? You've been acting strange all day."
"I'm fine," Crimson replied with a forced smile. "There's nothing to worry about."
Tai frowned. "I'm your father. I can tell when something's wrong with you."
Crimson hesitated, then said, "I'm really fine. I just… feel a little different. Probably because of the injuries."
Tai studied him for a moment before asking, "Do you feel lighter? Or more energetic?"
Crimson blinked, surprised. "Yeah… I do."
Tai sighed. "That's normal. Your aura was unlocked."
"Aura?" Crimson repeated, unfamiliar with the term.
Tai nodded and explained, "Aura is the manifestation of the soul's power. It's what separates Huntsmen from civilians. When someone's aura is unlocked, their speed, strength, and durability increase. They also heal faster. Your uncle unlocked yours while you were passed out—it's what saved you from permanent damage."
Crimson listened intently, the pieces of his strange sensations beginning to fall into place.
Tai continued, "Normally, we don't unlock a child's aura because it can lead to their semblance manifesting too early. Without control and understanding, that can be dangerous. Not to mention, aura attracts Grimm. The last thing we want is to draw them toward children."
"Semblance?" Crimson echoed, another unfamiliar term.
"A semblance is a unique ability developed from one's aura," Tai explained. "It's an extension of who you are. Some people can manipulate fire; others can create clones. There are countless variations. But it's important to learn control because some abilities can be dangerous."
Crimson nodded, a sinking feeling settling in his chest.
"Can a semblance… change someone's appearance?" he asked hesitantly.
Tai nodded. "Sometimes, yes. People's semblances can affect their bodies in different ways. If you notice anything unusual, you need to tell me immediately."
Crimson facepalmed, his thoughts spiraling. [This is one cruel joke, isn't it?] he thought grimly.
"Crimson?" Tai's voice broke through his thoughts, laced with concern.
Crimson looked up, meeting his father's worried gaze. [I don't want you to see me like that… No, I don't want to look like that ever again, even if I am going to die.].
At that moment, Crimson made a decision. He let out a slow breath and dropped his hand from his face as the jagged flame marks flared to life. They burned brightly on his skin, shocking Tai into silence.
"My semblance has already manifested" Crimson said with a weary smile.
[My semblance is just the Demon Slayer Mark. Nothing more.] decided to himself.