Sharing The Truth

Ruby hesitated at the door, her silver eyes flicking toward Crimson, who leaned casually against the wall with his arms crossed. "Aren't you coming with us?" she asked, her voice uncertain.

Crimson met her gaze with a small, reassuring smile. "Not yet. I've got a story to tell first," he said softly.

Ruby blinked in confusion. "A story?"

Crimson nodded. "Don't worry. I'll catch up with you all later."

Ruby hesitated, her brows furrowing. She looked like she wanted to argue but finally nodded reluctantly. "Okay… just don't take too long," she said before following the rest of the group as they left the room.

Once they were gone, Ironwood motioned for Crimson to follow him. Winter Schnee, ever composed, walked at Ironwood's side, her expression unreadable. The trio entered a private meeting room, and Ironwood closed the door behind them.

Ironwood gestured to the chairs around the table. "Take a seat," he said.

Crimson settled into a chair, leaning back slightly, his expression calm. Winter and Ironwood sat across from him, their gazes sharp and expectant.

"Let's hear it," Ironwood said, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of curiosity.

Crimson exhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts. "As I told you in the past, I will eradicate the White Fang, and so I started in Menagerie," he began. "I destroyed their branch there while trying to figure out what they were planning next. That's when I stumbled onto intel about the attack on Haven."

Winter's eyes narrowed. "And you went to Menagerie alone?"

Crimson nodded. "Yeah. After that, I rushed to Haven, and by the time I arrived, things were worse than I expected. Salem's forces were there—Cinder, Emerald, Mercury—along with the Branwen Tribe, the White Fang, and two maidens."

Ironwood frowned. "Two maidens?"

Crimson leaned forward slightly, his expression hardening. "Yeah. They had Spring and Fall. And to make it worse, my sisters, dad, and the others were already caught."

"Tai was there?" Ironwood was surprised to hear that. He knew Tai was retired and hadn't left Vale for years.

"Qrow. He's my and Ruby's biological dad," Crimson revealed.

"What?!" Winter stared at Crimson in shock. Ironwood was also surprised, not expecting this.

The general quickly recovered, recalling Ruby and Crimson's behavior. He said, "That actually makes sense."

Crimson chuckled and said, "I'll take that as a compliment." His face then became serious again. "In Haven, I was surrounded and fought with all my strength and barely managed to dodge and defend against so many adversaries. In the end, Emerald showed me an illusion that… well, broke me. I was defeated and nearly died."

Winter arched an eyebrow. "You're standing here now."

Crimson chuckled dryly. "That's where my semblance comes in," he said. He paused, his gaze shifting downward as if weighing his words. "I lied my entire life about what my semblance really is."

Ironwood and Winter exchanged a glance, their curiosity growing.

Crimson leaned back, his voice low. "My semblance made me… non-human. When activated, I become a demon. I grow six eyes and a sword from my own flesh covered with more eyes. It's a horrifying sight to say the least."

Winter's lips parted slightly in shock. "That… that's impossible," she whispered.

Ironwood's expression tightened. "You're saying your semblance physically alters your body into a demon?"

Crimson smiled faintly, almost humorlessly. "Yes, it amplifies everything about me. I become faster, stronger, more durable, and I can regenerate from all injuries. I could even grow back my head."

Ironwood's eyes widened, and even Winter looked momentarily shaken.

Crimson continued, "I hated how I looked, so I wanted to hide and die without anyone seeing it. But in that moment, I snapped out of anger and hate. I slaughtered everyone there and destroyed the school myself. Raven is the only survivor, and you can see her state."

"That's hard to believe," Ironwood finally said.

Crimson nodded. "I told you before we started." Then he continued, "And since I'm on this matter, I also lied about Moon Breathing."

Ironwood and Winter looked intently at the mention of Moon Breathing.

"It doesn't have six forms; it actually has sixteen forms," Crimson said, which surprised the two. Not letting them say anything, he continued, "The first six are suitable for me in my human state. The other ten I can use when I transform into a demon. Another lie I told is that it can't be taught to others. Actually, it can, but the price is that when a certain limit is crossed, the user will die at the age of twenty-five. I was already dying and didn't want others to have a similar fate."

"You're saying you've been using a technique that was killing you?" Ironwood asked, his voice low.

Crimson nodded. "I crossed the limit the first time I used Moon Breathing years ago. I knew since then that my end was coming. That's why I could use Moon Breathing freely—because I had nothing else to lose."

Winter's eyes went wide, and Ironwood leaned back in shock.

Crimson continued, "After Haven's attack, I left everyone and headed south. I wanted to disappear from their lives, especially after they saw me in that grotesque form. On my journey…." Crimson paused, choosing his words carefully. "Let's just say… I met the god of harmony, the one from the Shallow Sea fairy tale. He offered to help me find peace but based on a method of his choice. I accepted. In the end, I died, and my soul was sent to his realm and spent years there. Let's say I was receiving therapy."

Ironwood and Winter stared at him, their expressions a mix of disbelief and awe.

Crimson continued, "When I finally found my peace, the god of harmony fixed my death issue and removed my demon, then sent me back to Remnant. Here, only seven days passed."

Crimson looked at their faces. He reached behind him and pulled out his sword, placing it on the table. Its design was unlike anything they'd ever seen, radiating a faint, otherworldly aura. "To prove I'm not making this up… This was a gift from the god."

Ironwood took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the weapon. "You're saying all of this… your semblance, the sword, the god… it's real?"

Crimson shrugged. "I know, but it doesn't change the facts. This is why the marks on my face are permanent now and why my semblance has changed. I am now somewhat stronger than my demon form, but I lost my regeneration and immortality."

Ironwood sat back, processing everything. "How strong are you now?" he asked finally.

Crimson tilted his head thoughtfully. "Hard to say. If we're using Cinder and Raven as baselines, then I'm stronger than the four maidens combined."

Ironwood blinked, his mouth opening slightly before closing again. He nodded slowly, his mind racing. "And you're certain of that?"

Crimson smirked faintly. "Let's just say… I'm confident."

Ironwood exhaled deeply, leaning back in his chair. "I don't doubt your words. Most of what you've said can be verified, and the rest… well, I've seen and heard strange things in my time."

Crimson nodded and continued "As for commander Cordovin and Argus base…."

But the general raised his hand interrupting him "No need, you already shared enough for one day. I will find what happened there and handle out proper punishments, you don't need to concern yourself with it"

Crimson's expression softened slightly. "Very well, there's one more thing."

Ironwood raised an eyebrow.

"You owe me a favor," Crimson said simply. "Ruby and the others lied about the relic. It had a question left in it, and they used it to find me because they were worried. They actually saw unpleasant things, including my gruesome death. They tortured themselves over it. Let's count that as their punishment."

Ironwood's lips quirked into a faint smile. "That's all?"

Crimson nodded.

Ironwood chuckled lightly. "Consider it done. Right now, you're more valuable than any relic could ever be."

Crimson leaned back, satisfied. For a moment, the room was silent, the weight of the conversation settling over them.

Ironwood stood, extending a hand toward Crimson. "Thank you for telling me all of this. And for everything you've done."

Crimson shook his hand firmly, his expression calm. "Just doing what needs to be done. And trust is a two-way road. If I am asking for your trust for what to come, I must give you the same"

Winter remained seated, her gaze lingering on Crimson as if trying to decipher the enigma before her.

Crimson stood up to leave the room. Then, as if remembering something, he turned to the general and said, "I came to join Atlas as a specialist. I'm not sure how things are done here, but if you can provide me with all locations infested with Grimm regardless of their size or numbers, along with a transportation ship, I can guarantee nothing will survive me."

Ironwood looked at Crimson. Crimson wasn't like other soldiers or huntsmen—the story he heard made it clear that Crimson was an unstoppable force far more potent than any maiden.

"By tomorrow, you'll have a list ready for you along with a team to escort you," Ironwood stated.

Crimson nodded and left the room.

The general turned to Winter and said, "Prepare a list of all locations that we deemed risky previously. We are going to let Crimson handle the Grimm eradication"

Winter nodded and left. She was curious how things would change with Crimson joining them.