The sterile scent of antiseptic and the low hum of machinery were the first things that seeped into Crimson Blaze's mind as she slowly drifted back into consciousness. Then came a dull, persistent ache in her abdomen, a companion to a deep, throbbing feeling in her head. She blinked herself awake, letting her vision slowly focus on the familiar, softly lit ceiling of the headquarters for the Boston branch of Luminaries.
"I am glad to see you awake again, Luminary Crimson Blaze." The calm, synthesized voice of Boston's Celestial Overseer chimed directly into her mind. The ever-shifting form of Xylos looking at her with its pinprick white eyes. "Do you feel any discomfort? Any traces of significant disorientation?"
Crimson tried to push herself up, groaning as the pain in her abdomen worsened.
"I would strongly advise you to remain supine for the present," Xylos stated.
"Su- what?"
"Lying down."
Crimson decided to do so, letting herself slowly drop back down onto the medical bay's bed. A soft whirring sound then started, with the upper section of the bed tilting upwards until she was reclined at a comfortable angle.
"Thanks."
"You are quite welcome." Xylos hopped from its previous spot to sit right in front of her. "Your teammates retrieved you from today's Rift-Disaster. You were in critical condition upon arrival."
She touched her stomach gingerly through the thin medical gown, feeling the thick bandaging beneath. "And the wound?"
"Stabilized. There is no immediate danger to your life," Xylos reassured. "The injury was severe, but nothing that could not be handled with a bit of magic. However, given the current absence of major emergencies requiring your immediate deployment and considering the risk of complications with such a deep, Verge-tainted wound, we are opting for a primarily natural recovery protocol supplemented by targeted low-level cellular regeneration. Just to be safe. Excessive magical healing carries risks of unforeseen complications, particularly with residual Verge energy potentially embedded in the tissues. This approach prioritizes long-term stability and complete healing."
Crimson nodded slowly, being careful not to agitate her wound any further. It made sense. Magic could knit flesh quickly to get a Luminary back into a fight when needed, but it was not a risk-free substitute for proper recovery.
"Understood." She replied solemnly with a nod.
"Your team has been waiting anxiously outside," Xylos continued. "I had advised them to wait outside whilst you rested, but would you be amenable to seeing them now that you are awake?"
Crimson smiled weakly, feeling slightly guilty for what she probably just put them through. "Yes, please."
The door slid open silently. Aqua Intance practically burst in, her usual boundless energy replaced by frantic worry. Aegis followed with his customary stoic bearing, though the tightness around his eyes betrayed his tension. Gearloose trailed behind, looking pale and wringing her hands, her gaze fixed on the floor.
"Hey," Crimson managed, her voice raspy.
"AUGH! Crimson!" Aqua rushed to the bedside, stopping just short of hugging her. "What the heck happened?! You were gone for like ten minutes, and then we found you bleeding out in a back alley like a bloody murder victim."
Aegis stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through Aqua's panic. "Crimson Blaze. We are extremely relieved to see you conscious. Though I must ask, the monster responsible for your injury, what was it? And is it still out there?"
Crimson offered a weak smile. "Uh, about the monster responsible, did you find a Rift-Touched lying nearby?"
"We did," Aegis answered calmly.
"That was what did me in, but I did manage to take it down with me. I just..." She sighed, the memory a fresh sting alongside the physical pain. "...got careless. Let my guard down."
Aqua stared, incredulous. "That thing? The one with the blade-arm? Crimson, no way! You could've taken that thing down blindfolded! How did something like that even get the drop on you like that?"
Gearloose finally looked up, her eyes wide and glistening. "I-it's my fault, isn't it? I should've gone with you. I wasn't that tired, I shouldn't have let you go alone..." Her voice trembled.
"No, Gearloose," Crimson said firmly, locking eyes with her. "Absolutely not. This is on me. One hundred percent. My mistake, my lapse in judgement. You did exactly what I asked, monitoring the Rift and civilians. So don't blame yourself for this, okay?" She saw the doubt lingering in Gearloose's eyes, but held her gaze until she finally gave in and nodded weakly.
Before the conversation could continue, a soft, polite knock sounded on the door. Xylos shimmered again. "Crimson Blaze, you have additional visitors. Two of your former teammates have arrived."
Crimson blinked, surprised. "Former...? You mean...?"
"Luminary Golden Solar Temple and Luminary Verdant Thorn have requested entry," Xylos confirmed.
A smile crept onto her face as she heard the names. "Of course. Let them in."
The door slid open again. The first figure who stepped through was impossible to miss: a sixteen-year-old boy radiating vitality despite his young age. He was built like a Greek god, muscles rippling beneath a form-fitting white and gold Luminary uniform. A wide, infectious grin split his face. "Former Captain!" Solar boomed, his voice surprisingly deep and resonant for his age. He strode towards the bed, radiating pure, joyful energy like his namesake. "Man, it's good to see you again after so long!" He clasped her shoulder gently, his touch surprisingly careful despite his exuberance.
"Solar, it's good to see you too." She replied weakly with a smile. "I swear, every time I see you, you somehow manage to get even bigger."
"Pure dedication and five dozen eggs every morning!" He replied, flexing one of his two equally massive arms. Eliciting a small chuckle from Crimson.
Behind him, almost hidden by his bulk, crept Verdant Thorn. She was petite, about the same height as Gearloose, who was both a year younger and shared the title of 'shortest member of the team'. Clad in a dark green cloak with a slightly less dark green for the trim. Her expression was perpetually gloomy, her eyes narrowed as she glossed over every member of Crimson's current team with undisguised hatred. Gearloose, shrinking slightly under the scrutiny, received the most intense glare of all.
"Thorn," Crimson greeted, her smile softening as she looked at her. "It's really good to see you too."
Thorn flinched as if startled, the intense glare vanishing, replaced by a flicker of shyness as she tried and failed to return Crimson's gaze. She stepped forward hesitantly, clutching a large, meticulously arranged 'Get Well Soon' basket overflowing with healthy snacks, fruit, and a small, potted succulent that seemed to be slightly enchanted. "H-heard you got hurt, so we prepared this for you," she mumbled, not meeting Crimson's eyes directly. She placed the basket on the nearby bedside table, her gaze locked onto how fascinating the drawers looked.
"Thank you, Thorn," Crimson said sincerely, touched by the gesture. "That's very thoughtful of you."
Thorn nodded before quickly retreating behind Solar again, her gloomy expression returning as she resumed glaring at everyone else in the room.
Solar laughed, a rich, booming sound. "Alright, boss, we won't hog your recovery time. Just wanted to make sure your puny mug was awake." He nudged Thorn. "C'mon, gloom-bloom. Gotta head back out to the field so the other two can get their turn to see the boss!" He gave Crimson another delicate pat on the shoulder. "You better get used to seeing us more often now, sounds like you're gonna be parkin' it here for a while!"
Crimson managed a genuine laugh. "Looking forward to the company, Solar. Thanks for coming."
Gearloose, still feeling guilty, also spoke up. "Maybe we should let Crimson rest too." Aqua and Aegis murmured their agreement. They all exchanged their goodbyes with Crimson and then started to file out after the others.
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As they exited into the corridor, Verdant Thorn paused to turn around and face them directly. Staring at Gearloose directly in the eyes as she hissed, "Crimson would never have gotten hurt like that if she were still with us."
"Thorn!" Solar's voice snapped like a whip. Before Thorn could react, his large hand came down in a swift, open-palmed smack to the back of her head. A blow that carried such force that it sent her careening into a nearby wall with a deafening crash.
Solar grabbed her by the scruff of her cloak, hauling her upright like a misbehaving kitten. He gave Gearloose an apologetic look. "Ignore her. She's got thorns where her brain should be sometimes. That is definitely not true and she knows it." He shook Thorn roughly. "Apologize!"
Thorn just hung silently, with no confirmation of whether she was even still conscious.
Gearloose, however, looked down at her boots, the guilt surging back. "She... she's not entirely wrong," she mumbled. "Your team... you have twice the experience we do. Crimson... she only got transferred to our team because our generation didn't have enough for a full trainee team. It's not her fault that she ended up stuck with us." The word tasted bitter.
Solar sighed, his expression softening into something more serious. "Listen here," he said, his deep voice losing its usual boom, becoming earnest. "Crimson chose this. She chose to lead your team because she saw potential in all of you. As someone who was there when she made the choice to join your team, she has never. And I mean never, ever considered herself stuck with any of you." He managed a small grin. "You're doing good. Much better than we were when we were at your age, honestly. Keep your head up, trust your leader, and learn from your mistakes. That's the job." He gave Thorn another gentle shake. "Now, c'mon. We've got a patrol to finish." He nodded once more to Gearloose, Aegis, and Aqua before taking his leave.
Aqua performed a rude gesture at Thorn's slumped form. "Ugh, what a prick! Don't let her get to you, Gearloose."
Gearloose managed a weak smile but didn't look convinced. The guilt remained like a stone in her gut.
Aegis, however, had been unusually quiet during the exchange. He turned to Gearloose and Aqua, his brow furrowed in thought. "One part of this whole thing still puzzles me," he stated, his formal tone cutting through the emotional aftermath. "The Rift-Touched we found next to Crimson Blaze. Analysis confirmed it was a low-tier variant, basically still a Swarm-Class. Its primary weapon, the bone blade, while effective against unarmored targets or non-combatants, possesses insufficient penetrative force to breach Luminary-grade defensive enchantments woven into our uniforms, let alone inflict a wound of that magnitude on a Luminary like Crimson Blaze. A glancing blow, perhaps a shallow laceration if it truly did manage to catch her off guard... but a full-on impalement?" He shook his head slowly. "It is absurd to even consider such a thing possible."
Gearloose stared at him, nodding weakly. Unsure of what the implication meant, but nonetheless let it mix itself into the stew of her existing guilt.
-
The door locked with a soft click as the others departed. Xylos remained beside Crimson's bed, its light patterns shifting to a more focused, intense gold. "Crimson Blaze, I am going to temporarily reduce the anesthetic being applied to you. This will likely cause a noticeable increase in discomfort. However, I require your full cognitive focus for a brief period. Is this acceptable?"
Crimson braced herself, then nodded. "Do it."
A wave of sharper, burning pain radiated from her abdomen as the numbing haze lifted slightly. She hissed through her teeth, gripping the bedsheet. The pain was stronger, but nowhere near the point of being unbearable.
"Thank you," Xylos said. "Now. Please recount the events leading to your injury with complete accuracy. Omit nothing."
Crimson met the Celestial's luminous 'gaze'. "I encountered the Rift-Touched in the alley. I assessed the situation poorly. I got careless. It attacked before I could react effectively. That's it."
"Is that really it?" Xylos asked with forced neutrality, "Are you sure you are not omitting any important details in your recount of events, Luminary Crimson Blaze?"
"It is."
Xylos was silent for a moment, its light patterns swirling thoughtfully. "Crimson Blaze," it began, its synthesized voice carrying an unusual hint of... disappointment? "I have been here since you first became a Luminary, a little over two years ago. I have observed your tactical acumen, your discipline, and your commitment to the role. I hold profound respect for you as a Luminary. Which is why I hope you understand I mean no ill will when I say this: you are an astoundingly terrible liar."
Crimson looked away, a flush creeping up her neck that had nothing to do with pain.
"So I will ask again, did you omit any important details in your recount of events?"
She closed her eyes for a second, then sighed, the sound heavy with resignation and shame. "Alright. Fine. I... I de-transformed. Voluntarily. Right in front of it."
The swirling patterns in Xylos's light column froze. The air seemed to hum with sudden, incredulous silence. When it spoke again, the synthesized voice held a distinct edge. "...Elaborate. You intentionally relinquished your defensive and offensive capabilities in the presence of a hostile entity? Please confirm my understanding of events are not flawed."
"Yep," Crimson muttered, her cheeks burning.
Xylos didn't move, but somehow managed to convey disbelief with a face that couldn't emote. "Luminary Crimson Blaze, I will briefly quote Luminary Aqua Intance. Are you stupid?"
"Believe me," Crimson muttered, "I feel plenty stupid."
"Stupidity is a transient condition. Death is permanent!" Xylos retorted, its usual calm momentarily fractured. "Explain your reasoning. Immediately. What possible justification could exist for such a catastrophic lapse in judgment?"
Crimson took another pained breath. "The... the other one. The marble-skinned Rift-Touched we encountered yesterday. The one Calamity took. She... she didn't want to fight us. Not really. She seemed... scared. Worried." Crimson's voice grew stronger, fueled by conviction, battling the pain. "When I saw this one hiding, I thought maybe it was like her. Lost. Scared. Maybe my weapons, the transformation, were scaring it. And that if I showed them I wasn't a threat, I could've ended things peacefully."
Xylos was silent again, so Crimson continued talking, "Xylos... is there something you're not telling us? About the Rift-Touched? I know some of them can talk. The reports are sporadic, but they exist. They paint a picture that every Rift-Touched is a deranged monster like Calamity, but is that truly the case?" Her voice dropped to a raw whisper. "Was what you told us a lie? That there is no person left inside? Just something we tell ourselves to make killing them easier?"
"No," Xylos replied, its voice regaining its calm neutrality, but with an underlying gravity. "It is not a lie. The Verge usually consumes the body's consciousness when a person becomes Rift-Touched. What remains is a monster, driven by base instinct and Verge energy."
"Then why can some of them talk?"
Xylos remained quiet for a long, long moment. The only sounds that remained in the room were the soft beeping of the monitors and Crimson's slightly labored breathing.
Finally, it spoke, its voice low. "I am not able to tell you at this moment."
Crimson froze, the implications hitting her like a physical blow. "But⦠but you know why, don't you?"
"Yes, I do." Xylos stared at her with its emotionless eyes, both of them desperately looking like they wanted to tell her something.
Crimson wanted to ask Xylos what they meant, what they were hiding from her. She tried to sit up, but felt a wave of drowsiness hit her. She felt the pain in her abdomen slowly fade away, and her eyelids soon began to drift closed.
Xylos continued to stare at her, "But I promise that I share your sentiments, Luminary Crimson Blaze. I promise I will investigate the marble-skinned Rift-Touched you mentioned. But you need to rest for now."
Crimson tried to resist as the anesthetic pulled her under, and only when the fire in her eyes finally dimmed into exhausted, troubled sleep, did Xylos dematerialize. Leaving the room silent save for the steady beep of the monitors and Crimson's shallow breaths.
-
Gearloose sat in the center of her room, staring blankly at the bank of flickering monitors that lined the entire wall facing her desk. Although she felt the inevitable pull of exhaustion, sleep still felt like an impossibility.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw her usually vibrant leader back in the medical bay's bed. Pale-faced and fragile. Put on the brink of death because of her.
So in her restlessness, she'd pulled every scrap of CCTV footage she could find from the Rift-Disaster zone. Hours of scrubbing through grainy, violet-tinged images showed fleeing civilians, collapsing debris, and scattered, low-tier Rift-spawn. Nothing that she thought could take Crimson in a fight.
The more she watched, the more she felt herself agreeing with Aegis's doubts. Something felt off about the whole ordeal, like there was some puzzle piece Crimson was hiding from them.
Frustrated, she kept looking. Constantly rewinding to the start of the Rift-Disaster and watching a new feed each time. Until she accidentally pressed a timestamp after they had found Crimson in the alley, of a feed of the Rift after they had left it alone to investigate her distress signal.
And she saw the missing puzzle piece.
Standing in front of the rift, dragging a cluster of lesser Rift-Spawn, was a figure she recognized.
Marble-skin, violet eyes, translucent hands that seemed to hold the very stars in their palms.
The Rift-Touched they had fought yesterday. The one she had blasted with her staff whilst they had been distracted by Crimson. The one connected to Calamity, the terrifying monster who had even scared Xylos.
Ice flooded into Gearloose's veins as the puzzle pieces came together. That Rift-Touched was strong, and based on Crimson's report, able to wield magic. They were connected to Calamity. They were strong, they had to be strong.
Strong enough to hurt Crimson.
"It was my fault," Gearloose whispered, the words a choked sob in the quiet workshop. She was the one who had shot them, but it had directed its anger at Crimson instead, seeking Crimson out for revenge instead of her. The horrifying uncertainty that her actions had painted a target on Crimson's back.
"I hurt her... so they hurt you." The weight of it crushed her. She resigned herself to quiet sobbing, the crushing weight of guilt making her feel powerless for the first time since becoming a Luminary.