13 parts Complete MatureThe Crimson Vein virus is a sinister contagion that seeps into its host's bloodstream, altering both mind and body. The virus spreads rapidly through open wounds, cuts, scratches, and air (coughing and sneezing). As the infected seek to pass on their affliction through a feverish, almost predatory urge. Once a pony is infected, their veins begin to darken and take on a deep crimson hue, visible just beneath their skin, like sinister rivers winding across their bodies.
Early symptoms include fever, intense muscle aches, and a throbbing sensation under the skin as the virus mutates its host. Soon after, infected ponies experience uncontrollable bursts of aggression, losing all sense of empathy or restraint. Paranoia and delusions set in, twisting their minds to believe that anyone untouched by the virus is a threat, compelling them to infect others.
As the virus progresses, the infected lose their sense of self, becoming more feral with each passing day. Their eyes may glaze over with a red tint, and they develop a haunting, almost unrecognizable voice, distorted by the virus's dark grip. Those fully consumed by the Crimson Vein virus are no longer the ponies they once were, driven by a primal need to spread the infection-no matter the cost.
