Child of Omens: Ruination

Chapter 7: Every Lie has a Hidden Truth

Hawk's heart raced as his mind tried to piece together what had just happened. His eyes darted around the room as time began to slow down around him. He watched their faces as some hadn't realized who he was while others slowly began to figure it out. He'd deduced that Ozpin had a dozen huntsman or so ready to take him out before he tried to run. He tightened his grip as demonic energy began to flare up within him. He was prepared for anything. What he wasn't ready for was the soft hand that had placed itself over his own. Looking, he sees Pyrrha had wrapped her hand around his fist, almost sensing what he was thinking. She looked at him, not with disdain or anger, but with worry. Her emerald eyes seemed to ease his stress as he slowly loosened his fist, and his eyes went back to their original color. Then, he was brought back to reality as he felt the heavy slap to his back as Nora congratulated him.

Nora: "Congrats! I knew you could do it!"

Ren: "You'll make an excellent leader." Placing a re-affirming hand on Hawk's shoulder.

Hawk: "Uh...thanks." Looking towards Pyrrha, she still has the look of worry, but it slowly changes to that of joy.

Pyrrha: "I'm so happy for you, Hawk."

The four of them walk off the stage as Hawk turns around to see Ozpin eyeing him, meeting him with a serious glare of his own. 

Several Hours Later

As Hawk finished setting up the stuff he brought with him to his team's new room. He feels the weight of their watch on him. He turns around to catch the other turning away quickly, almost seeming afraid to even look in his general direction.

Hawk: "I'm guessing what you did at the ceremony was just acting."

Nora: "I mean, it was genuine...but it was Pyrrha's idea. You looked like you were about to cut loose at any moment." Turning towards Pyrrha to see she shyly avoid eye contact.

Hawk: Sitting on his bed. "*sigh* I sense you each have questions needing answers. Since we're officially a team now, I might as well answer them."

Pyrrha: "Why did you lie to us?!" He could sense she wanted to say herself but didn't.

Ren: "Who are you, really?"

Nora: "And why'd you get all killer-ey looking at the ceremony?"

Hawk: Taking a deep breath. "Let's start from the beginning then. My name is Hawk Branwen, adopted son of Raven Branwen, making me the second in line to be Branwen tribe leader. I was raised at the Branwen camp all my life and trained to be a swordsman. I was trained to survive, adapt to any situation, and I was trained to take lives. So my mother sent me here to continue my training just as she and her brother were a very long time ago. But unlike her, I was to enroll...unknown by the staff as under my mother's leadership, the Branwen clan has become one of, if not the largest and most powerful bandit group on Remnant. So I was under the assumption that I had infiltrated unknown to most and in time would've told you my true identity if I knew I could trust you three to keep it confidential."

Pyrrha: "But why did you get so...stressed when he called your name?"

Hawk: "My mother despises Ozpin for a reason that if I tried to explain would seem insane. She told me many things about him. Things that seem almost unbelievable, but I assure you are true. So when he knew who I was and decided to reveal my identity, I assumed that I would be quickly detained. So I became..what's the term? Battle-focused."

Ren: "Battle-focused?"

Pyrrha: "It's commonly known as a "Battle-Trance". When an individual experiences extreme stress, they enter this trance. While in it, they think logically and prioritize their safety over anything else, even going so far as to kill those who mean them no harm as the brain sees them as potential threats. Am I correct?" Hawk's silence confirmed her deduction.

Ren: "So if we hadn't stepped in and calmed you down. You would've tried to fight, would you?" Hawk nods.

Hawk: "I am sorry...I didn't know who I could trust."

Pyrrha: "You can trust us. We're a team now, and that means we have each other's backs. No matter what."

Nora: "Totally! We'll be with you every step of the way, partner."

Intercom: "Will Hawk Branwen, please report to the Headmasters Office?"

Nora: "...Except, for now, you are on your own, buddy." Receiving a solid nudge from Ren. "Oh! Yeah! But we'll be with you in spirit."

Hawk chuckles as he leaves the dorm room. Walking down the school hallways, he can feel the eyes watching him and hear their remarks. Some were calling him a bandit or criminal, to some even saying he's a killer.

Dante(mental): "Hey, don't listen to them, Hawk. They just don't know you."

Hawk(mental): "Of course I'm not listening to them, Dante. They have no idea what I've gone through my whole life, and I doubt their remarks are going to have any effect on me. But your concern is appreciated."

Dante(mental): "I've got your back. Okay, kiddo? If you need anyone to talk to, I'm here."

Hawk, arriving at the elevator to the headmaster's office presses the button to head upwards. On his way up, he thinks of what he might have to talk about and comes up with a plan of what to say.

Dante(mental): "Damn, this music sucks ass. Isn't elevator music designed to keep you awake? Cause I'm pretty certain I'm about to pass out."

The elevator dings as he exits into the headmaster's office. Entering, he feels a force take hold of him as it slams him into the ceiling and then back onto the floor. Struggling to get up against this pressure, he feels the cold edge of steel against his throat.

Qrow: "Ah. I wouldn't try it. You good, Glynda?"

Goodwitch: "I have him Qrow. He's not going anywhere."

Dante(mental): "Whenever you're ready, kiddo? I'll give you something you can fight with. Just say the word."

Ozpin: "So. It seems Raven has made her move against me. *sigh* I had thought she would at least stay out of this, but it seems she chooses to make herself an enemy. Now then, Hawk, you're going to explain to me who you are and why Raven sent you here?"

Hawk: Straining against the pressure. "You're smart enough to know out my name. Figure it out for yourself." Again being slammed back down to the ground.

Ozpin: "Qrow told me he recognized you by the way you fought and acted. But that's all I have to work with. Now we can either do this the easy way or the painful way. Your choice." Hawk spits on his shoe as he sighs and takes a seat in his chair. Glynda begins using her semblance to pull Hawk's arms and legs apart, causing him to let out screams of pain.