Child of Omens: Ruination Part 2

Chapter 27: Ruin and Recreation

Qrow walked along the makeshift path of destroyed buildings. Behind him, Pyrrha and Nora followed Hawk's Uncle. They were slightly horrified at the massive destruction of both Atlas and Mantle. From what they were told, Ironwood dropped the entire city of Atlas onto Mantle, crushing anyone still left.

Qrow: "So...it seems you two have changed quite a bit. Mind explaining?"

Pyrrha: "Well, that is a bit...complicated."

Nora: "No, it's not. We drank some Qliphoth fruit juice and gained a whole load of super-demon-powers." Qrow turned towards the two with a look of both confusion and slight anger.

Qrow: "You can't be serious. Not only did you do some dumb shit that Raven would do! But then you boast about it! *sigh* Look...I know you guys trust him, and he hasn't let you down yet, but you gotta keep him in check, or he's going to get away with some horrible things."

Pyrrha: "You don't know Hawk as we do. He has a plan to help the world, and it's just you refuse to understand the tactics he has to use."

The three continue down a ruined street before Qrow stops in front of a small alleyway; one side of the alley has collapsed. Qrow stares down the alley, remembering something from a long time ago.

Nora: "Are you alright?"

Qrow: "Sorry, I was just......This is where we found him. Hawk, that is. We were celebrating my 19th birthday with some bar hopping. And we were walking down this very street. From out of nowhere, we started hearing this baby crying down that alley. Raven went in cause she said something about 'Oh, your too drunk, you oaf.' or something like that. Anyway, she comes out the alley with this tiny little thing wrapped in white cloth. To say he wasn't the most precious thing we've seen is an understatement. From what I saw, he had piercing red eyes, much like ours. You know, when Raven said she'd take care of him, I didn't care. But as time went on I the thought crept into my mind, and after a while, it killed me that I didn't speak up. It's like every time I see him...I just..."

Pyrrha: "You wanted to raise him, didn't you?"

Qrow: "People have always told me I would only ever amount to being a hated or adored huntsman, destined to die defending the weak. But I wanted more; I wanted to leave a sort of...legacy."

Nora: "Aww, you love him. Like a dad loves his son."

Qrow: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, laugh at the old guy. Come on, let's keep going."

The three of them continued through the city, occasionally picking up some loose supplies. Eventually, they end up in front of a tall hotel that had somehow survived the collapse and the flood. Heading inside, the two are taken aback at the number of people that we're inside. Hundreds of people were crammed into the central lobby; looking up, they saw the people had made small shacks that connected, almost creating a spider web with bridges and huts.

Nora: "There's so many."

Pyrrha: "Is this all the people?"

Qrow: "Nope, the rich upper class had their little bunkers. Winter took the group she had and locked themselves in the old Schnee mansion. Besides those, some smaller groups took to raiding or to leaving the kingdom hoping to find sanctuary in Mistral."

Pyrrha: "Isn't she the Winter Maiden now? Shouldn't she be helping people?"

Qrow: "Look, her whole world has just crumbled around her, and she's separated from her entire family. The fact that she isn't currently terrorizing everyone is the best we can ask for."

The three continue into a small room Qrow had made into a room he was using. They had to help clean up a bit, removing some empty bottles and setting up sleeping conditions. As the day ended up darkening, the three sat around a small fire made of
a destroyed chair. They were eating some canned beans, and rabbit Qrow had caught earlier during the day.

Qrow: "So I'm gonna need a bit of explanation of what all the hell, a 'Qlipoth Juice' is?"

Pyrrha: "Well, a while back, we were told of how Hawk had these vials of black liquid. A friend of his, V, said that they are the lesser equivalent of the Qliphoth Fruit, the fruit Hawk ate, which allowed him to beat Cinder."

Nora: "If it makes it any easier to understand, we are just as strong as Hawk was when he first went to Beacon."

Qrow: "Oooh. That...makes a bit of sense. So does he have any more of these vials?"

Pyrrha: "I believe he offered V one, but he denied the offer so that he might have one vial left."

Nora: "Why? You want one?"

Qrow: "I'll uh..take my chances." Nora shrugging.

Pyrrha: "Well, I'm going to head off to bed. Try not to stay up too long."

Pyrrha left the other two as she went to the small sleeping bag.

Qrow: "She slept with him, hasn't she?"

Nora: "She never denied it." They both share a hearty chuckle.

As the new dawn surfaces over the horizon, Nora and Pyrrha awoke to the mixture of aromas. It was almost a good smell, but it would suddenly catch them off guard with a horrible smell. Getting up, they head to see Qrow attempting to make what can be described as bacon and eggs.

Qrow: "Ah! Morning you two. I've made...well, I think I've made breakfast. Bon appètit." Placing two plates of slightly burnt bacon and eggs.

Nora: "Gee, Qrow, thank you." Without thinking, chowing down on the food.

Pyrrha: "Thank you for breakfast; you didn't have to take us in like this."

Qrow: "Think nothing of you two. You're here to help and are friends of my nephew. Even if my nephew is currently at war with the world."

The three continue to eat until Robyn barges into the room, slightly startling the three and causing Nora to almost choke on a piece of bacon.

Robyn: "Your still here...great. Anyway, Qrow, our scouts have spotted a horde of Grimm approaching from the south."

Qrow: "Whelp. It looks like you two were right. If you plan on helping, now's your chance."