chapter 10: Wood Carving

Crimson and Tai shared the news with Qrow, Crimson has already manifested his semblance, which shocked Qrow. He had been there when Crimson’s aura was unlocked, he was the one to unlock that. That was barely a few days ago, and now he is staring at the marks on Crimson face, the proof of Crimson’s semblance manifestation.

Qrow couldn’t help but voice his disbelief “It takes months, sometimes years, for most people to manifest their semblances. Some never do. And yet… you did it, barely a few days after unlocking your aura!”

Taiyang rubbed the back of his neck, looking at Crimson with a mixture of pride and concern. “I don’t even know what to say. It’s unheard of.”

Crimson, standing in front of them with a strained smile, seemed weighed down by their astonishment. He displayed the mark thinking it is the norm for people to do that after unlocking their aura, his dad made it sound normal, how was he supposed to know it might take months at least? 

The two adults didn’t mention the semblance issue again, but even as the days passed, Crimson noticed their lingering gazes and unspoken questions. After the initial display, Crimson never let it flare to life again, as though trying to keep this part of himself from becoming a spectacle.

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Months passed, and life settled into a rhythm. The next milestone came on the shared fifth birthday of Crimson and Ruby. Amidst the laughter, cake, and brightly wrapped presents, Ruby made a heartfelt wish.

“I want us to carry out mom’s family name, me and Crimson” Ruby said, her voice small but determined. “For Mom.”

Her words silenced the room. Taiyang, who had been smiling moments before, looked at his youngest daughter with a mix of surprise and sorrow.

“Ruby…” he began, but his voice faltered.

Crimson, standing beside his sister, didn’t expect such a wish but he still agreed. “Fine by me, would that be okay, dad?”

On his part, not only Tai did not object to the request but also supported it, and from then the family name was officially changed for the two. From that day forward, they were no longer just the Xiao Long family children. They were the Roses: Ruby Rose, Crimson Rose, and Yang Xiao Long, a nod to their shared bond with Summer.

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As the seasons changed, the family prepared to celebrate Yang’s birthday. Crimson had been quietly working on something special for her. For weeks, he had risen before dawn, sneaking out of bed while everyone else was still asleep. He would tiptoe outside the house to a quiet corner in the house, where he sneaked a knife and scraps of wood and laid them waiting.

In his past life, Crimson had multiple artistic pursuits, which included wood carving. Back then, his carvings often depicted the moon or elements tied to his swordsmanship, reflecting his dual passions. This time, however, his inspiration was his family.

When Yang’s birthday arrived, Crimson approached her with a small bundle wrapped in cloth. He handed it to her with a warm smile.

“What is it?” Yang asked, her eyes alight with curiosity.

“Open it and see,” Crimson urged.

Yang peeled back the cloth to reveal a wooden figurine of their mother, Summer Rose. The detail was astonishing, Summer’s likeness had been captured with care, from the gentle waves of her hair to the soft expression on her face.

Yang’s eyes widened. “It’s… Mom,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Ruby leaned in to get a closer look, her expression shifting to one of awe tinged with envy. Crimson noticed immediately and decided to tease her. “Ruby, that is Yang’s gift, you shouldn’t touch it”

Ruby, hearing him felt more envy and even upset, gave him a look of disappointment and hurt without any words.

Seeing the reaction, he hurriedly said “Don’t worry, Ruby. I made one for you, too”

Ruby’s face lit up “You did? Really?”

He nodded and handed her an identical figurine while laughing softly at her excitement “Really”.  

As the family admired Crimson’s handiwork, Taiyang watched from the sidelines, his expression a mix of pride and wistfulness. When he noticed Tai’s lingering gaze on the figurines, Crimson raised an eyebrow.

“Is something wrong, Dad?” he asked.

Tai chuckled, scratching the back of his head. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking… You’re really talented, you know that? Those figurines are amazing.”

Crimson tilted his head, sensing there was more to Tai’s words. “Thanks…?”

Tai cleared his throat, glancing at the wooden figures in Ruby and Yang’s hands. “I was just wondering if… you had made one for me, too?”

Crimson blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Oh… uh… I didn’t make one for you,” he admitted. “I only made them for Ruby and Yang.”

Tai’s shoulders slumped slightly, though he quickly masked his disappointment with a smile. “That’s okay. They’re beautiful. You’ve done a great job.”

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A month later, Tai received his own figurine. Crimson had spent countless hours carving it, ensuring every detail was perfect. It was slightly larger than the ones he had made for Ruby and Yang, depicting both Taiyang and Summer standing side by side.

When Crimson presented it to his father, Tai was speechless. He ran his fingers over the intricate carvings, his eyes shining with emotion.

“Thank you,” he said softly, his voice thick. “This… means more to me than you know.”

Despite his satisfaction with the figurines, Crimson’s hands itched for a greater challenge. Late at night, after everyone had gone to bed, he began working on a new carving. This one was more ambitious, a piece that would capture the entire family—including their deceased mother.

He envisioned it as a tableau: Tai standing strong and proud, Summer beside him with her ever-gentle smile, and the three children surrounding them in a circle of warmth and love.

Each stroke of the knife brought the image closer to life, the wood transforming under his skilled hands. The work was slow and meticulous, but Crimson didn’t mind. This piece wasn’t just art—it was a way to preserve the memory of their family, a tribute to the years they shared and the memories of the mother who would always remember.

As the days turned into weeks, Crimson worked tirelessly on the carving. Though he didn’t share his progress with anyone, the project became his quiet way of connecting with both his past and his present.

In this new world he now called home, this piece would stand as a symbol of bonds, a reminder of the oldest connections, a lesson to avoid repeating past mistakes, and a testament to the beauty that could be found in togetherness.