His teachings would also persist through surviving disciples, but in hushed tones. His following would dwindle to an obscure cult facing persecution for centuries. After his execution, the body was burned leaving only his irons. They cooled in the ash, as if his anger itself was subsiding, and his followers appropriated their shapes in defiance of the Highbloods. The symbols became the sign of the Signless, always shown as colorless as the cold iron, to conceal the stigma of his hue. This was as much a reminder to his followers to remain hidden as it was of the Sufferer’s sacrifice, and his rage hidden like heat in the iron, one day to be reignited by another of his bloodline.  

Woah, so Karkat wasn’t just being obstinate about covering up his blood color, he was making a big political statement with the grey text and symbol. 

I like him so much more now!