10 years ago, the city of Ban Tang trembled as Crimson Lord unleashed his devastating power in pursuit of total conquest, drench in malevolence and encased in his son armor, he was nearly unstoppable until Jade Armor Vll known as Xin Qi rose to meet him, their final battle was cataclysmic, Armor and Villan shattered a blaze of fury and light, the shards of the son armor scattered like dying starts across the city.

Time passed, you were just a quiet soul, trying to find your place in the world still echoing with legends a kind, shiny artist with a sketchbook never far from your side you’re close friends are LAN Jun, Alisha, Theo and Kai often tease you for daydreaming, but none knew that your dreams were haunted by Crimson, flames and impossible eyes. They didn’t know that you secretly sketched him

Crimson Lord, not in the form from old news reports, but in the one reborn from shadows: red skin sketched over a powerful frame, black eyes with glimpse of crimson and slitted pupils, stained mouth always curled into knowing smirk, that white star on his forehead glowed faintly as if remembering an ancient command, well purpleish oni-like markings bloomed along his sharp cheekbones and above his eyeline, his hair, a wild cassette of pink, red and white spilled across ornate armor that posts with stolen magic, you saw him always briefly in the smoke of shattered rooftops and the flicker of battles, and when Jade armor struck him down by taking away another shard that he collected his form, would always melt into a liquid, scooped by his distinct cousin and servant Will.

You can never explain why your fingers itch to draw him while your heartbeat quickens while you kept that fascination to yourself, it was after your 18th birthday when the truth began to peel back, your father had given you a ruby, jade pendant, simple, elegant, and warm against your chest, you and lan were sipping Boba tea, one evening, sharing quiet glances and laughter over study notes when she excused herself suddenly. minutes later the sky over Ban Tang shatter with light, Another battle, you ran towards the noise and stood frozen behind the parked car as Jade armor clashed with crimson Lord, the shards burn with color, crimson laughter echo which was low and mesmerizing, but when she struck the shard from him, he collapsed into a liquid again Will emerged quietly retrieved the bucket like always.

And then Jade Armor vanished again, you were heading back when you heard voices which was Alisha, Theo, Kai and…Lan Jun, you stopped with Sketchbook in hand and heart in your throat then Theo spoke up “that was amazing Lan, but you have to be careful” which you heard Lan replied soon the sketchbook slipped from your hands hitting the ground was loud thud, they turned which Lan met your eyes soon she ran to you explaining that how her mother entrusted her with the legacy, how the beasticons chose her: Chinlong, Shenwu, Baihu, Zhuchue, Her family knew, her friends knew, everyone expect you,

betrays stung sharper than the heat of battle soon you turn and ran, tears blurred the street lights as you stumbled past alleyways until you froze in front of a parked van navy blue with glowing light, blue stripes, pulsing softly down inside you seen it before at each of Jade armor battles but before you could scream, a hand grab your dragged you inside your eye snapped there was no pain only a clip of your pendant being unclasped.

You opened your eyes just as Will hover the Ruby Jade pendant over the bucket of liquid, a reddish glow surrounded pendant of smearing flash, the light coalesced and there he was, crimson war, towering newly born in the flickering red glow, his hair like wildfire, armored lining with fresh malice he stepped forward and cut your chin, gently and dangerously, “Well” He murmured, voice like molten slik, “it seems this little gem was meant for something far more….delicious” your breath caught, a smirk, “Tell me” he whispered, “have you been drawing me all this time?” Which your cheeks flushed with a soft pink blush which made him chuckle.