Five years had passed since that fateful day when Crimson had made his decision to control the Demon Slayer Mark. Ti moved forward relentlessly, and so did life in the Xiao Long-Rose household. Crimson had taken it upon himself to ensure that Ruby and Yang not only kept up with their schoolwork but excelled in it.
For soone who had lived a previous life, Crimson thought teaching would co naturally. However, he quickly discovered that much of the material was foreign to him. Modern concepts, advanced mathematics, and even basic scientific principles he had never heard before. Still, he was determined, and over ti, his reading and comprehension improved.
Ruby and Yang often joked about how he was like their personal tutor. His patient deanor and growing ability to break down complex topics made him an effective teacher. Their laughter and gratitude were rewards enough for Crimson, though the growing bond with his siblings ward his heart even more.
Qrow's presence during these years beca increasingly sporadic. Once a constant figure in their lives, he now popped in every few weeks, his visits brief but no less appreciated. Qrow's absence was often attributed to his duties as a huntsman.
Today, however, was special. Qrow has returned for a specific purpose: Yang is going to unlock her aura. At eleven years old, she was ready to begin her official training as a huntress. The air buzzed with excitent, and even Crimson found himself drawn into the anticipation despite his usual reluctance toward anything compat-related.
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The family gathered in the backyard. Yang stood in the center, her fiery personality tempered by a rare nervousness. Tai approached her with a calm, reassuring smile.
"Are you ready, my sunny dragon?" Tai asked, his voice calm and gentle.
Yang nodded eagerly. "I've been waiting for this forever!"
Tai chuckled. "Alright, here we go. Just relax and focus."
Standing before her, he placed a hand on her shoulder and began the unlocking chant, his voice resonant and solemn:
"For it is in passing that we achieve immortality. Through this, we beco a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all. Infinite in distance and unbound by death, I release your soul, and by my shoulder, protect thee."
As the chant concluded, a golden light surrounded Yang, shimring like a protective aura. She gasped, feeling the surge of power coursing through her.
Crimson, watching from the side, couldn't help but repeat a few words. "Immortality. Glory. Unbound by death." The chant struck a chord within him, its words eerily echoing the twisted reality. He felt like laughing due to the irony, but forced himself to not show anything.
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Yang's excitent was infectious. She imdiately grabbed a pair of wooden swords, her golden aura still faintly visible, and faced her father. "Alright, Dad! Let's see what I can do!"
Tai chuckled, taking a sword of his own. "Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you."
Yang charged at him with boundless energy, swinging her wooden sword with enthusiasm. But Tai was a seasoned warrior, effortlessly sidestepping her attacks and countering with light taps that disard her repeatedly. Despite her best efforts, Yang couldn't land a single hit.
After a few minutes, Yang pouted. "Not fair! You're too good!"
Qrow laughed. "Don't get discouraged, kid. You've got plenty of ti to learn."
Then, with a sly grin, he turned to Crimson. "What about you, Crimson? Care to give it a shot?"
Crimson shook his head. "I will pass."
"Oh, co on," Qrow pressed. "It's just for fun. Let's see what you've got."
Yang and Ruby chid in, their voices pleading. "Yeah, Crimson! Do it!"
Even Tai joined in. "It's good exercise. No harm in trying."
With a heavy sigh, Crimson finally relented. "Fine."
He picked up one of the wooden swords, the shape familiar yet foreign in his hand. As he stood opposite Tai, mories of a ti long past flickered in his mind. The years of peace he had carefully maintained didn't erase centuries of experience.
"Give it your best shot, hold nothing back" Tai encouraged with a knowing grin.
Crimson closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. When he opened them, his mark flared to life for the first ti in five years. Jagged flas etched themselves across his face, and his eyes narrowed with an intensity that sent a shiver through everyone present.
Then he moved.
In a blur of motion, Crimson charged toward Tai. At the last mont, he shifted his trajectory, targeting Tai's feet. His strikes were precise and relentless, landing in rapid succession on each of Tai's feet causing the man to fall backward. Before Tai could hit the ground, Crimson rotated to his unard side, dropped low, and struck his shoulder with the wooden sword one last ti.
The display was over in seconds, leaving Tai's back on the ground staring at the sky and the others staring in stunned silence. Crimson exhaled as the mark disappeared.
Qrow was the first to break the silence. "Well, I'll be damned. That was… sothing else."
Yang's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Crimson! That was amazing! How did you do it?"
Ruby nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! You're so fast!"
Tai, still on the ground blinked repeatedly as he stared at the sky, he then sat down and looked at crimson, his face still stunned then said "You are going to be one hell of a huntsman!"
Crimson shook his head slightly. "I don't want to be a huntsman. It's not for ."
Tai stared at him, stunned, and the others mirrored his expression. Qrow, unable to keep quiet, finally spoke. "You're a natural-born huntsman. You've got the talent. If not a huntsman, then what?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and unanswered. Crimson looked down, his mind racing. He hadn't given much thought to his future. Day-to-day life had been his sole focus, his escape from the life of his past. But now, faced with the question, he found himself at a loss.
He closed his eyes, and mories from a lifeti ago surfaced. He saw himself gifting a flute to his brother Yoriichi, the faint smile of gratitude etched on his brother's face. He rembered Yoriichi's passing, still carrying the flute even after decades. And he rembered carrying the broken instrunt for centuries—a relic of his brother, the only person he had ever admired.
[ If not for the demons… what would Yoriichi have done? Would he have spent his life playing the flute?] Crimson wondered. It was a question he would never know the answer to.
When he opened his eyes, Qrow was still watching him, waiting for an answer. Crimson's lips curled into a warm smile, softer than usual. "Playing musical instrunts might be nice—especially the flute."
Yang imdiately groaned, crossing her arms. "That's so la! Being a huntsman is way cooler."
"Yeah! Huntsn are way better!" Ruby chid in, nodding enthusiastically.
"Girls, enough." Qrow held up a hand, a smirk tugging at his lips. "He's free to decide his future. But you're not wrong—he might just change his mind soday." He chuckled at his own words.
Crimson shook his head, an amused smile playing on his face.
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