Child of Omens: Ruination

Chapter 2: Unsurpassed Potentiel

Ten years have passed since Raven had chosen to raise Hawk as her son. During that time, she had taught him all about her old master, the man that trained her in the way of the sword. Hawk had grown to idolize both his mother, Raven, and her teacher, seeing him almost like his grandfather in a sense. Countless nights would pass as he would stay up late reading the many journals that her master had left her. Some were of his personal life, and he talked about his brother and how much he had missed him. In other journals, he would describe his sword style, which he called "Dark Slayer Style", a combination of a quickdraw style with lightning-fast cuts and slashes. Hawk would constantly read through these journals and grow a fondness for each one of them. At the age of 8, he would secretly begin to try and replicate these moves he had read about. Some he was able to replicate, others he had a bit of trouble, and for other moves, he dared not even try as they seemed almost super-human as they were described. One of which is called a "Judgment Cut," a move that involves slashing a target from a distance away by simply "slashing through dimensions". Hawk had attributed this move as a move that could've only been done by his "grandfather" because it was tied to his semblance.

Hawk's training had not gone unnoticed by his mother, who at one time when she had trouble sleeping, spotted Hawk replicating one of her master's sword slashes. But she wasn't surprised by this. She had known for a long time that Hawk had a fondness for her old master. So, she had also begun to train Hawk in the art of swordsmanship, slowly teaching him not only how to swing a sword but on how to live—teaching him how to conduct himself and how to treat others. She had also begun to teach him about semblances and how they usually come after one unlocks their aura. To say that he was excited to one day get his own was an understatement.

The sun now rises over the Branwen camp as Raven stands outside of the sandpit training area.

Raven: "The sun is rising. If you plan on showing off your semblance, you'd better make your move now."

In the pit, an 11-year-old Hawk sits in front of a thin stone pillar. His hair has grown out much longer, to the point that it now hangs to his shoulders. He'd taken the liberty of dying it a dark red as to disguise himself from those who would look to try and sell him as a Schnee. He wears a long coat he had made to resemble his "grandfather's" coat, except if it was a dark black with bright white accents. Sitting in a kneeling position, a katana in its sheath on his left lays on the ground. His eyes are closed as he breathes deeply. Then, quickly opening his eyes in one smooth motion, he grabs the blade's sheath with his left hand and the handle with his right. He draws the sword with lightning-like speed and slashes through the pillar in front of him, then in a second motion, slowly sheathes the blade back into its sheath. Upon the clicking of the blade into its sheath, the top half of the pillar fell to the ground as a clean-cut had been made through the stone.

Raven: "It took you all night to finally cut through a thin stone pillar. Well...at least you live to impress."

Hawk: "Technically, it took me only a moment. I would've done it sooner, but I kind of fell asleep." Chuckling as he rubs the back of his head, Raven makes her way over to him.

Raven: "I should smack you for making me stay up all night, but a deals a deal. Sit." Both of them kneel as she places a hand on his chest as they both match their breathing. "Are you ready? Forcibly drawing out your semblance could be dangerous."

Hawk: "That's why you've been training me. So I won't get hurt. I'm ready."

Raven nods as she allows her aura's energy to flow through Hawk's body. Hawk closes his eyes as he feels this as well. Then, opening them, he sees that he is sitting in the middle of a street. Getting up, he looks around to see he is entirely alone, except for the building in front of him, which has a peculiar sign hanging above.