The Child of Omens Part 2: RWBY x Male Reader

Chapter 32: Hellish Landscape

Falke exits the portal and is hit with an overwhelming sensation like the air had been sucked out of his body. His lungs burned, and it hurt to breathe. In pain, he dropped to his knees as he looked to see both Qrow and Ruby struggling to breathe.

Vergil: "Easy, take deep breathes. Slow your heart rate. The change of atmosphere can be troubling for most who are unprepared."

Falke would begin to slow his breathing as his heart slowed as well. The pain was subsiding as he regained his strength, standing up. Qrow following soon after as Falke walked over and helped Ruby steady herself. Soon she would also acclimate to the change in environment.

Ruby: "W-what was t-that?"

Vergil: "The human body is not meant to easily take on the harsh requirements needed to survive in the Underworld. Even if I had told you of this, you would still experience the same pain."

Falke: "Well, thanks for the obvious heads up."

Qrow: "Uh...not to point out the obvious, but this doesn't look like what 'Hell' would look like."

The three look around to see that the entire landscape was a vast open field of pale white grass, the ground beneath them a rough dark black and grey clay material. Out in the distance, multiple large tree-like structures dotted the landscape and even further were what appeared to be mountains.

Ruby: "It almost looks...peaceful."

Falke: "Well, if Summer is here, she'd have no problem blending in. You know, white grass and a white cloak and all."

Qrow: "Yeah, all we have to do now is find her. Where to start though...that's the real question."

Ruby: "Maybe we should try getting some higher ground. Maybe if we make it to the top of one of those tree things, we can scope out the area."

Falke: "Or better yet, she might be using one of those trees as shelter."

Qrow: "Good thinking, you two, but those trees seem to be massive. It may take us a while to make it to the top."

Falke: "Whelp. We better start moving then."

The three began their trek to the first of what appeared to be a countless number of trees. As they walked, they couldn't help but admire the tranquil landscape of the Underworld. For as much as Vergil and Dante talked about how the denizens of the Underworld were bloodthirsty and vicious, they found it hard to believe that they lived in a wide-open landscape like this. During their walk, Ruby couldn't help but constantly look at Vergil with contemplation.

Vergil: "If you wish to ask me, something child. Do so now before you miss your opportunity."

Ruby: "Ah! Uhm...well. It's just that I was kind of wondering. You know...you've had the Spear of Creation for a while. So I just expected you to ask for a new...body." There was a long pause as Vergil eyed the red speedster with cold contemplation.

Vergil: "Where did this question arise from?"

Ruby: "Oh! Well, you see, I had this really good friend named Penny." There was a slight pause as the memory of Penny's death resurfaced. "She was an android, designed to be like a human. But she wanted to be a human, so when we got the Spear, we used it to make her a human body she could use."

Vergil: "Ah. I remember she was the previous Winter Maiden. I apologize for your loss. Losing friends is something I had to deal with many times during the war with the Underworld. It never got easier, but I just learned to hide it very well. But to answer your question, the thought of having my body restored has crossed my mind once or twice since retrieving the Spear. But I have never really paid it any real mind."