RWBY: Moon Reflection

The morning sun painted the sky in soft hues of orange and pink as Crimson arrived at Pyrrha's quarters. She was already outside, her polished armor catching the early light, and her spear and shield secured on her back. Her face lit up when she saw him, a mix of excitement and determination evident in her expression.

"Good morning," she greeted, her voice steady but carrying a hint of nervous energy.

"Morning," Crimson replied with a small nod, glancing at her gear. "You look ready."

"I am," she said firmly, her hands lightly brushing against her shield for reassurance. "I won't let you down."

He smirked faintly. "Let's see how you do. Come on."

The two walked together toward the aircraft bay, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet halls. Their conversation was light, mostly about the mission and Pyrrha's thoughts on finally stepping into the role of a huntress. Crimson listened, occasionally offering short responses, though it was clear he was observing her demeanor more than engaging in the small talk.

When they reached the bay, a sleek aircraft stood waiting, its engines humming quietly. A small group of soldiers, clad in Atlas uniforms, stood nearby preparing for departure. As Pyrrha stepped closer, Crimson gestured toward them.

"Everyone," he said, his voice commanding but calm, "this is Pyrrha Nikos. She's a newly licensed huntress, and she'll be joining us for this mission."

The soldiers turned to her, offering polite nods and murmured greetings. One of them, a tall man with a rugged face, extended a gloved hand. "Welcome aboard, Huntress Nikos. Glad to have you with us."

"Thank you," Pyrrha replied, shaking his hand with a polite smile.

"Let's move," Crimson ordered, boarding the aircraft first. Pyrrha followed closely, taking a seat near him as the soldiers secured their positions.

As the aircraft lifted off and soared through the skies, Pyrrha gazed out of the window, her curiosity bubbling to the surface. "Why is the mission site called the 'ancient monument'?" she asked, glancing at Crimson.

Crimson shrugged "No idea" He turned to one of the soldiers seated nearby. "Hey, Neither of us is from Atlas, you know the story behind it?"

The soldier, a younger man with short blond hair, nodded. "Yes Specialist Rose, it's called that because, years ago, there used to be a massive statue there—some kind of armored warrior. People said it was ancient, from a time before the kingdoms. But it was destroyed when the Grimm started attacking the area. Now it's just rubble and ruins."

Pyrrha tilted her head, her brows knitting together. "That's a pity. I would have liked to see it. Something like that must have been incredible."

Crimson, on the other hand, leaned back in his seat.

Less than an hour later, the aircraft began its descent, the pilot's voice crackling through the intercom. "We're nearing the target location. Standing by for orders."

Crimson stood, motioning for Pyrrha to follow. "Keep the aircraft on standby. We'll be on the ground."

He walked to the open hatch, the wind whipping through his hair as he glanced at the rocky ground below. Without hesitation, he leapt from the aircraft, landing gracefully on the rocky terrain below.

Pyrrha hesitated for only a moment before following suit, jumping after him and landing lightly beside him. She straightened, gripping her spear tightly as she scanned their surroundings.

The ancient monument—or what was left of it—was a haunting sight. Broken stone and crumbled pillars littered the area, overgrown with moss and vines. In the distance, the faint howls of Grimm echoed through the trees.

Crimson glanced at Pyrrha. "Stay sharp. Let's get this done."

Pyrrha nodded, her expression serious. Together, they began to move toward the ruins.

Crimson and Pyrrha approached the edge of the ancient monument. The deeper they ventured, the louder the eerie, guttural sounds of Grimm grew. It wasn't just a few scattered roars—this was a chorus of aggression, the unmistakable cacophony of a massive gathering.

When they finally peered over the ledge, Pyrrha gasped. Below them, in the basin of the ruins, was a swarm of Sabyr Grimm, their sleek, feline forms prowling and snarling. There were dozens of packs, hundreds of Grimm in total, filling the area like a writhing, chaotic sea of black and red.

Pyrrha's initial confidence faltered. Her hands gripped her spear tightly as she stared, her mind racing with thoughts of how they could possibly face such overwhelming numbers.

Crimson glanced at her, his tone calm but probing. "Are you afraid?"

She hesitated, unable to meet his gaze. Her mouth opened to respond, but no words came at first. Finally, she shook her head and forced the words out. "No. I'm prepared."

Crimson's eyes narrowed, not at her words but at the tension in her posture. He shook his head slowly. "That's the wrong answer," he said. "Fear is natural. It's the source of human strength. When you accept fear and overcome it, that's courage. Ignoring it, pretending it doesn't exist—that's how you fall."

Pyrrha's gaze dropped to the ground, his words sinking in. She stayed silent for a moment before admitting quietly, "I... I am a little scared. I've never seen so many Grimm in one place."

Crimson smiled faintly, his tone softer now. "Good. That fear means you're alive. And it means you're thinking. Things will be fine—just focus." He gestured to the writhing mass of Grimm below. "Now, how do you think we should handle this?"

Pyrrha blinked at him, surprised by the question. She hadn't expected to be asked for input on strategy. Her brows furrowed as she examined the terrain, the Grimm, and their position. Crimson stood silently, giving her time to think.

After a moment, she turned to him with a plan. "What if... you use your semblance to destroy the edge we're standing on? The falling rocks could crush a significant number of them."

Crimson nodded, urging her to continue. "And then?"

She pointed to the narrow path behind them. "We retreat to that choke point and let them come to us. It's too narrow for them to surround us, and we'll keep our escape route open."

Crimson's smile widened in approval. "Good thinking. Step back."

Pyrrha moved to safety as Crimson raised his weapon, his semblance flaring with a sharp glow. With a single, precise slash, he sent a powerful shockwave through the rocky ledge. The ground beneath them cracked and rumbled before collapsing in a cascade of massive boulders. The rocks tumbled into the basin below, crushing tens of Grimm instantly under their immense weight.

The remaining Grimm howled in rage, their crimson eyes locking onto Crimson and Pyrrha as they began to climb toward them.

"Here they come," Crimson said, motioning for Pyrrha to follow. They retreated to the narrow path, readying their weapons for the onslaught.

The first wave of Sabyrs leapt at them, claws gleaming. Pyrrha and Crimson fought side by side, their movements synchronized despite their short time working together. Pyrrha's spear danced through the air, each thrust and slash precise and calculated. Crimson, meanwhile, moved with unyielding efficiency, his blade cleaving through the Grimm with terrifying power.

The battle raged on for half an hour, the endless waves of Grimm testing Pyrrha's endurance. She fought valiantly, but her breaths grew heavier, her movements slower. Crimson noticed immediately.

"Fall back," he ordered, stepping forward to take her place. His semblance surged as he unleashed its full power, sending arcs of devastating slashes through the Grimm. The air was filled with the sound of shattering white bones and the fading cries of the creatures.

Pyrrha watched in awe, leaning against her shield as she caught her breath. Crimson cut through the Grimm with a speed and precision that seemed almost effortless. When an alpha Sabyr, ten times the size of the others, emerged from the horde, Crimson didn't hesitate. He unleashed a massive crescent slash of energy that cleaved the beast in two.

As the last of the Grimm fell, the battlefield fell silent. Pyrrha exhaled deeply, relief washing over her. Crimson turned to her, his expression calm as always.

"We're retreating to rest," he said.

Pyrrha nodded, her exhaustion evident. The two moved to a safe distance and sat down, taking the time to recover. Pyrrha looked at Crimson with admiration.

Two hours later, they were back on their feet, ready to continue. They encountered another gathering of Grimm, and once again, Crimson turned to Pyrrha for her input. She assessed the situation and came up with a plan, Crimson nodded and gave his opinion when needed. When the time came, he stepped in to finish the fight with overwhelming power.

This pattern repeated throughout the day. By sunset, the entire site had been cleared of Grimm. Crimson called back to Atlas, reporting their success and requesting soldiers to establish an outpost in the area.

As they waited for reinforcements, Pyrrha sat quietly, watching Crimson. She knew he could have completed the mission alone and far more quickly, yet he had involved her, guiding her and helping her gain invaluable experience.

"You're helping me," she said softly, more to herself than to him.

Crimson glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "That's why I brought you."

A few hours later, several aircraft arrived, bringing soldiers, sentinels, and construction equipment to establish the outpost. Crimson oversaw the operation briefly before turning to Pyrrha.

"Mission's over," he said with a rare smile. "We're heading back."

Pyrrha nodded, a sense of accomplishment swelling within her as they boarded the aircraft. As the vehicle ascended, she looked out at the ruins below, now free of Grimm, and felt a deep gratitude toward Crimson for helping her take her first step as a huntress.