“What’s with those birds? Don’t they ever stop?”
“It’s amazing, isn’t it? These birds can sing all day long without getting tired.”
– Jona and Clay, talking about the Crimson Crests
HISTORIA
The Crimson Crest birds are a unique species native to the Crimson Crest mountain (so called because of these very birds). They are the result of a cross between crested songbirds and songbirds infected with Xankus, giving rise to an exceptionally intelligent hybrid. Like all animals infected with Xankus, they have lost their natural fear of humans.
BIRTH
When PROELIUM detonated the mines excavated by the Silver Point tribe in an attempt to bury the Xankus, it accidentally surfaced in small quantities, eventually creating the region’s special animals. The mountain’s crested songbirds were affected by this, but unlike all other cases, these newly infected birds did not turn sterile and were able to reproduce.
This new species, born from the crossing of infected and non-infected birds, gave rise to a new kind of bird that would eventually be named by the locals as the Crimson Crest, due to its peculiar elongated crimson-colored crest.
WORSHIPPING
The village of Armasa, like with all special animals, holds a deep respect for the Crimson Crest birds, as they are considered gifts from the mountain. Of all the animals, this bird is the most cherished by the villagers, so much so that they renamed their sacred mountain after it.
The villagers believe in the story that these birds are responsible for continuously reforesting the area, completely ignoring their abnormal origin as a product of the Xankus. However, part of the story is true, as Crimson Crests often scatter seeds across the mountain accidentally—something the locals interpret as a sign of guardian providence.
What truly inspires admiration, however, is the birds’ daily spectacle at sunset. All the Crimson Crests awaken and begin to fly across the mountain while singing. The villagers have never understood the reason behind this phenomenon.
CRIMSON CREST EVENTS
During their investigation, the team of Your Mysterious Eye had the opportunity to witness the birds’ singing at sunset, causing a profound reaction in them, especially in Tavita.
Later that day, Clay showed them how to feed the birds directly from their hands, which astonished the team even more.
POST PANDEMIC
When the Xankus escaped, the Crimson Crests—like all animals in the world—faced no danger and continued their lives in a world with very few humans still alive.
Upon losing their connection to the Xankus, the Crimson Crests began to migrate across the globe in search of a new home. Others followed the trail of Xankus, nesting near any remnants of the pathogen.