RWBY: Moon Reflection

From the shadows, Blake and Sun observed the chaos unfolding in the Haven courtyard. Their hiding spot provided them a grim view of the battle, a spectacle both horrifying and awe-inspiring. Crimson stood amidst a sea of enemies, moving with precision and lethal efficiency. The sheer number of adversaries who had been lying in wait stunned them, but what left them speechless was how Crimson held his ground against such overwhelming odds. He wasn't just surviving—he was winning.

Sun, crouching beside Blake, whispered, "We're lucky your father didn't order us to attack. If the Faunus had walked into this... it would've been a massacre." His voice was tinged with relief and dread at the thought.

Blake nodded solemnly, her golden eyes fixed on the scene. "You are right. But we can't just sit here. We need to sneak in and free the others." Her gaze briefly flicked to the glowing cage in the distance, where their friends were trapped. "Crimson's keeping them occupied. It's the best chance we will get."

Sun's jaw tightened as he nodded, determination replacing his initial fear. Together, they began planning their approach.

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Inside the cage, Ruby, Yang, Qrow, and the others watched the battle in stunned silence, their breaths catching as Crimson's relentless strikes echoed across the courtyard. Ruby's clenched tightly, her knuckles white as she fought the urge to scream. Yang's hands trembled, her usually confident demeanor replaced by a mixture of anger and helplessness. Qrow's jaw clenched, his sharp eyes darting to every movement Crimson made, calculating the odds. Each blow, each cry from the battlefield, seemed to reverberate in their chests, a haunting reminder of the brutality unfolding before them. 

Crimson's ferocity was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The way he moved, his strikes calculated and devastating, left them spellbound. While Qrow and Ozpin marveled at the sheer skill and power on display, the rest flinched at the brutality of it all. Blood stained the courtyard, and the bodies of White Fang members and bandits littered the ground.

Weiss broke the silence, her voice shaky but laced with reluctant admiration. "He might actually win this... by himself."

Pyrrha, unable to look away from Crimson's fluid movements, asked aloud, "How can someone fight like that? It's... inhuman."

Ozpin, his voice suddenly more authoritative as he took over Oscar's body, replied, "No one can. Not through training or decades of experience. Crimson is a prodigy, the likes of which I have never seen. His skill, his instinct, his raw talent—they're unparalleled." He paused, his gaze narrowing as he assessed the battlefield. "But this fight is far from over. The heavy hitters have yet to make their move."

Yang tried to attack the cage again but got electrocuted, dropping to her knees as she screamed in frustration, "Damn it, we can't stay here while he's fighting everyone by himself!"

The others shared the same sentiment.

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Crimson continued his relentless assault, his blade carving through the ranks of the White Fang.

"Fifty-one," Crimson spoke again as another operative died.

"You demon, I will kill you!" Sienna shouted, her eyes blazing. From the start of the fight, Crimson had been killing her people with terrifying efficiency. She couldn't help but think the demon cared about nothing but killing Faunus, as all the dead so far were Faunus.

By this point, nearly half of the White Fang members were dead. Even the others had noticed how Crimson was aiming specifically at the White Fang.

"Killing animals is addicting," Crimson replied with a cold smile.

The White Fang operatives shivered, knowing the demon was targeting them. One suddenly ran toward the Branwen tribe, and soon all followed suit, trying to make distance and use the Branwen firepower to keep him at bay.

[Good, keep running in that direction,] Crimson smirked, seeing things play as he intended.

Crimson took a moment to trade blows with Tyrian, Adam, and Sienna without pushing further, waiting for the White Fang to reach a favorable position. Once they did, Crimson ignored the trio before him and dashed full speed toward the Branwen tribe, the White Fang members now positioned between him and the tribe.

The tribe saw what was happening and started shooting, not waiting for their allies to reach them. Many White Fang operatives fell due to the friendly fire while Crimson zigzagged between them to avoid bullets, delivering slashes to the Faunus he passed by.

Soon he reached the Branwen tribe. Raven and Vernal both stood to block him from reaching their members, but Crimson used all his strength and speed to push the two into their ranks before changing direction.

A familiar scene repeated itself. Crimson began to reap lives mercilessly, and attempts to stop him only made things worse, as they struck their companions. Crimson's movements were a blur; each strike was precise and deadly. The bandits fell in quick succession under his onslaught.

At last, Vernal and Raven managed to attack Crimson, pushing him back, but the damage was done. Nearly half their tribe was eliminated. The two of them were furious.

"One hundred," Crimson's cold and calm voice rang out, sending chills through those still standing. His earlier words haunted them—how long could they last against this demon?

[Almost half of them are down… Hopefully, Blake and Sun will be able to free the others,] Crimson thought. He needed to keep the crowd focused on him while culling as many of their numbers as possible. If the group were freed, this fight would become much easier.

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The cage's occupants watched in disbelief. The school courtyard had become a graveyard. To kill one hundred opponents was no small feat, and many present were considered comparable to elite huntsmen.

"I believe Mr. Rose's skill and power surpass those of a Maiden," Ozpin said through Oscar's body. "Even a Maiden can't fight so many opponents at the same time." Shock was evident in his voice.

"If he wants to run away, he should be able to do it, and no one would be able to stop him," Ren added.

"He won't run with Ruby and Yang imprisoned here," Pyrrha said helplessly. She watched the person she admired and viewed as a friend fighting against impossible odds. He was younger than her, and even so, he didn't back down or show fear.

"Crimson..." Ruby was on her knees, tears streaming as she watched the carnage unfold. Seeing her brother's brutality in full display scared her, but remembering what would happen if he failed terrified her more.

"He has to go through this because of us," Yang said weakly as she lowered her head.

The others shared similar feelings. Their actions had led to the current events, and if something were to happen to Crimson, they would never forgive themselves.

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Raven stared at Crimson with fury in her eyes. The death of her tribe hit her hard, but what made it worse was the price she was paying to kill Summer's son. Anger, guilt, and fear overwhelmed her. She had made her decision to survive, for her tribe to survive, but she had walked into a death trap.

She remembered the few times she had seen Crimson from a distance in her bird form. Every single time, since childhood, the boy would notice her and stare her in the eye. It first happened when Summer left on that cursed mission, then again during her friend's funeral, and it kept repeating. Over time, she stopped visiting her daughter at home because of him. A sense of danger and fear gripped her every time she saw him. Now she knew her instincts were right—the boy was a monster in human clothing.

"Raven Branwen... I must admit I never liked you despite never meeting you," Crimson spoke casually in the middle of their standoff.

"Because of Yang?" Raven scoffed, adjusting her stance as Vernal walked slowly to the side. Hazel and Mercury also moved to assist their group.

"No... You just remind me of someone I despise," Crimson replied in a calm tone.

Raven didn't know who he was talking about and didn't care. What mattered now was bringing him down.

Another skirmish ensued. Raven, Vernal, Hazel, and Mercury attacked simultaneously, to which Crimson responded with dodges and well-placed strikes. Despite being surrounded, he remained calm, his eyes unblinking as he handled his opponents one after another.

Raven's frustration mounted as the fight continued. Finally, she made a critical mistake. She overextended, leaving herself open. Crimson capitalized instantly, landing several precise hits that left her staggered. Enraged, Raven unleashed an ice wave, forcing Crimson to retreat.

Crimson broke the ice off his weapon as he stared warily at Raven. He hadn't expected her to unleash such an attack with that much power. If he had been a little slower, he might have been encased in ice.

Meanwhile, those who knew about Maiden powers and saw what she did realized immediately that she was the Spring Maiden. Many eyes briefly turned to her before focusing back on Crimson. Raven narrowed her eyes in frustration, regretting that the boy had forced her to reveal her Maiden powers.

Back in the cage, Qrow punched the ground angrily. "Damn it, Raven! She must have killed the Spring Maiden and stolen her powers!"

"It appears to be the case," Ozpin added grimly.

"So Crimson is fighting an army, a few individuals comparable to elite huntsmen, and two Maidens," Weiss summarized, fear in her voice.

The group continued watching helplessly. The odds weren't getting any better.