RWBY: Moon Reflection-Chapter 114: On The Side of Humanity

Crimson stepped out of the chamber, the heavy door closing behind him with a soft thud. The cool air of the hallway greeted him, along with the sight of Qrow and Ironwood standing at the ready, their weapons drawn and their postures tense. Their eyes darted to him immediately, sharp and questioning, as if expecting a signal to leap into action at any moment.

Crimson sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You two are overreacting," he said, his tone calm but firm. "She can't break free."

Ironwood tightened his grip on his weapon, his face grim. "No. Salem's too old, too powerful. No one can predict what she's capable of. We have to be prepared."

"Yeah," Qrow added, his tone sharp with both concern and frustration. "And what the hell were you doing in there for so long? Talking with her?" His eyes narrowed, suspicion etched on his face.

Crimson chuckled softly, the sound almost disarming in the tense atmosphere. "I told her my story," he said, his voice carrying an air of simplicity as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "How I came to be here."

That earned him confused stares from both men. Before either could speak, Crimson turned his gaze to Ironwood. "General, I have a request. I need you to build a new prison for Salem. In Atlas."

Ironwood blinked, momentarily stunned. "In Atlas?" he repeated, disbelief creeping into his voice.

"Yes," Crimson said, his expression serious but calm. "A facility with accommodations for living. And I want to live there too, right where she's imprisoned."

Ironwood and Qrow exchanged wide-eyed glances, their disbelief mirrored in each other's faces. "Why?" Ironwood finally managed to ask, his voice tinged with both confusion and concern.

Crimson smiled faintly, a rare softness in his expression. "Because I promised her I'd visit her from time to time. And it would be nice if she was close by." He paused, his eyes locking onto Ironwood's. "Besides, you're still worried about her, aren't you? Afraid of what she might do?"

Ironwood frowned but didn't deny it.

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Crimson tilted his head slightly, his smile never fading. "Wouldn't it be the safest option to have her near me all the time? If she ever tries anything, I'll be there to handle it."

Ironwood opened his mouth, then closed it again, the logic settling heavily in his mind. He couldn't argue against it, no matter how strange the request sounded.

Qrow, on the other hand, wasn't convinced. "This is madness," he said, stepping forward. "She's a monster, Crimson. She's done things—unspeakable things. And you pity her? You think putting yourself near her is a good idea?"

Crimson turned to Qrow, his expression calm but firm. "Dad, if I had accepted my demon back then, I would have been far worse than she ever was. An unkillable monster that fed on humans." He took a step closer, his voice steady. "Instead of being here talking with you, you could have been in my stomach along with everyone else. If I could overcome that, why can't she?"

Qrow's mouth opened, but no words came. The weight of Crimson's words hung heavy in the air, leaving him silent.

Ironwood, after a moment of deep thought, nodded slowly. "It makes sense," he admitted. "If Salem is in the middle of Atlas and under your watch, it's the safest location we can hope for. She'll be contained, and you'll be there to deal with anything that might happen."

Qrow sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I still think it's a bad idea," he muttered, his voice laced with reluctant resignation. "But fine. If James is on board, I guess I'll have to trust your judgment. Just... don't make me regret this."

Crimson gave him a small, reassuring smile. "You won't."

With that, the tension in the hallway began to dissipate. Crimson's resolve was unshaken, his calm confidence slowly seeping into the others. Despite their doubts, Ironwood and Qrow both found themselves conceding to the strange, yet oddly logical, request.

The three men began walking down the corridor, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly. Though the path ahead was uncertain, there was one thing they all agreed on: they had taken a step toward ensuring the world's safety—no matter how unconventional it seemed.

_________________________

Another half year passed, and Crimson's visits to Salem had become a routine that puzzled and angered those around him. Every other month, he would step into her prison, and the two would sit together, sharing fragmented stories and thoughts. It was a strange connection, one that no one else could understand or condone.

Those aware of these visits—Qrow, Ironwood, even Raven—strongly disapproved. They saw Salem as irredeemable, a monster beyond pity. But Crimson ignored their objections. They couldn't grasp where his sympathy for her came from, nor the parallels he saw between his own past and hers. To him, Salem was an unlucky reflection of himself—a version that had been pushed further into darkness by cruelty and circumstance. He had no interest in explaining it to anyone.

Today's visit, however, was different. Crimson wasn't alone. Raven stood by his side, her posture tense, her hand resting cautiously on the hilt of her blade.

Salem raised an eyebrow as the two approached, her crimson eyes narrowing as they landed on Raven. "This is new," she remarked, her tone a mix of curiosity and mockery. "What's the occasion today?"

Crimson smiled faintly. "We're moving you to a new place," he replied.

At the same time, Raven opened a portal behind Salem, the shimmering gateway casting an eerie glow across the dim chamber. Crimson stepped forward, offering Salem his hand. She hesitated for a moment, her expression unreadable, then allowed him to help her stand. Together, they guided her through the portal. Salem didn't resist.

On the other side, she emerged into a brighter space. The air was cooler, fresher. She looked around, taking in her surroundings. James Ironwood stood to one side, his face as stern as ever. Beside him, Qrow Branwen watched warily, his scythe resting against his shoulder. Soldiers were stationed strategically, and among them, Salem recognized a few familiar faces—most notably Winter Schnee, her gaze steely and unyielding.

Her eyes finally settled on the structure before her. The new prison was much more spacious than her last. The lighting was softer, giving the place an odd sense of calm. A proper bed and a seat were arranged neatly in the corner. The walls, though still made of reinforced steel, were cleaner, smoother, and less oppressive. It was, as Salem noted silently, a "neat cage."

Crimson stepped forward and addressed the group. "It's fine. You can leave us now."

There was hesitation, but Ironwood nodded, and one by one, the others left. Soon, only Crimson and Salem remained in the room.

Salem turned to him, her expression skeptical. "What are they planning this time?"

Crimson smiled, an almost mischievous glint in his eye. "It took a lot of talking and convincing to get you a more comfortable prison. Now you just need to wait a little longer."

Salem tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her crimson eyes. "Wait for what, exactly?"

Before he could answer, the walls and floor of the prison began to glow faintly, a dim pulse of light spreading throughout the room. The hum of energy filled the air. Salem's capturing cables vibrated slightly, and she looked at them in confusion.

Then, with one swift motion, Crimson drew his sword. In a single, precise strike, he severed the cables binding her.

Salem froze, staring at him in disbelief. For the first time in months, she could move her hands and body freely. She flexed her fingers experimentally, the sensation almost foreign. But her connection to magic remained severed.

"What is this?" she asked, her voice quiet but sharp.

Crimson sheathed his sword and met her gaze. "Those cables were made to suppress your magic. Now, this entire prison is built to serve the same purpose. It's far more secure, but also more comfortable for you."

Salem studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Thank you," she said, her tone sincere. "I know you're the only one with the courage—or perhaps the foolishness—to help me, even if only a little. The others are too wary and afraid."

She paused, then added, "What did you do to make them approve this?"

Crimson shrugged. "Simple. I told them I'll be your prison guard from now on."

Before Salem could respond, the door opened, and Ironwood, Qrow, and the others returned, their eyes scanning the room to ensure everything was as it should be.

Crimson turned to Salem, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Now, I have a question for you."

Salem's eyes narrowed slightly. "What question?"

"Are you interested in removing the Grimm from your body?"

The room fell silent. Even the soldiers outside the cell stopped moving, their breaths caught. Salem herself looked taken aback, her expression momentarily unguarded.

"It can't be done," she said finally, her voice quiet. "I've tried. Long ago."

Crimson shook his head. "I can see inside people's body and I have been observing the Grimm within you. I can see nodes forming a sort of web. I believe if I cut all the nodes fast enough, I can sever their connection to you. You'd return to being just an immortal human."

Salem stared at him, her expression unreadable. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air. After a long pause, she finally said, "I will think about it."

Crimson nodded, accepting her response without pressing further. With that, he turned to leave, followed by the others, their expressions still etched with shock and uncertainty.

Outside, Ironwood stopped him. "What you said in there—about removing the Grimm. Is it true?"

Crimson met his gaze evenly. "It's true. If I can sever the nodes, her connection to the Grimm will end."

Ironwood frowned. "Then why even ask her? Why not just do it?"

Crimson's expression hardened slightly. "We have already imprisoned her, taken away her freedom. I won't add more pain to her existence without her permission."

Ironwood sighed, glancing back at the prison. Qrow crossed his arms, shaking his head in frustration.

"You are more on her side than ours" Ironwood muttered.

Crimson didn't respond immediately. Instead, he glanced back at the door to Salem's cell, his expression thoughtful. "I am on the side of humanity," he said quietly. Then he walked away, leaving the others to grapple with the weight of his words.