Child of Omens: Ruination Part 2

Chapter 29: Time To Make A Change

Hawk and Qrow sat around a small campfire as the night sky hung overhead. Qrow was trying his hardest not to burn the food while Hawk was polishing his armor. Hawk hasn't had a chance to properly look over his new armor as he has had much to deal with in the last month. But it was nice to have this slight reprieve.

Qrow: "So? How'd you find out?"

Hawk: "Beacon. After taking the Academy, I found a little blood test done on me during our little "study session" on my first day."

Qrow: "Hey, about that day, I just want to say sorry...again."

Hawk: "And believe me when I say that I hold no anger towards anyone involved. I think it's safe to say that karma did its job."

Qrow: "I guess the big question is, now that you know. What are you going to do?"

Hawk: "Nothing. I am indeed not the only child raised by neither mother nor father. And based on your history, it's safe to assume you never knew." Qrow solemnly nodded. "Then the real question is what do you plan to do?"

Qrow: "Well, I'm certainly not going to try and reinsert myself as a parent. You'd probably kill me. I guess the best I can do is be here when you need me."

Hawk sat there for a minute, just thinking. Having another parental figure in his life wasn't something he'd ever expect to have again, let alone be related closely by blood. Was it something he'd cast aside? He didn't know, but what he did know was Qrow was the only family he had left. There was his birth mother, Willow, but she wanted him to be someone else, to throw away his past. Something he couldn't do. But here's Qrow, his real father, telling him to be who he wants to be. Who was telling him that he would be there for him, no matter what. How could he throw something like that away?

Hawk: "You know, when I first found out, I thought it was some trick. Then as I thought about it some more, I didn't want it to be true. And then I decided to use some of that empathy Pyrrha's always talking about. I thought about what you were going through when you found out yourself. I guess it was like a wake-up call for you, and I shouldn't push you away for trying to rebuild something you didn't know was broken."

Qrow: "Huh, that Pyrrha girl has got your number, does she?"

Hawk: "For as cold and heartless as I may seem. She somehow found some form of kindness hidden in all that."

Qrow: "*Chuckles* It's funny. Raven must be laughing at me trying to be a parent."

Hawk: "You're not that bad."

Qrow: "Well, I guess you're heading back now?"

Hawk: "Not yet. There's something I still need to do."

Hawk gets up and walks over to Qrow. Holding out his hand, Qrow takes a small vial containing a black liquid within.

Qrow: "W-what is this?"

Hawk: "Something I want you to have. You don't have to drink it now, but I want you to keep it. So when you need the strength, you'll have it. Think of it as a gift from both me and Raven."

Qrow: "I gotta ask...this whole war thing. Why?"

Hawk: "To be honest, I was angry with the world, and initially, I was more than willing to do much more heinous things. But I realized that if I did what I wanted, I would be no better than Ozpin or Salem. Disregarding life achieve their own goals."

Qrow: "Ozpin is fighting for humanity if you haven't noticed."

Hawk: "Oh really. Then let me ask you this. If he's been fighting since before either of us were born, then how come he never used the relics against her? How come she hasn't wholly stomped through humanity like she is now? The both of them have forgotten why they are fighting, and now they are fighting just because. And it's causing the needless destruction of this entire world and the innocent who live in it. I'm just the only one who sees it for what it is."

Qrow: "Okay, then let's say you beat them, exile them to the void for eternity. What about the Grimm? Huh? What about all that was lost?"

Hawk: "Simple, look at what Atlas was before its destruction. Due to the use of the Staff of Creation, they became a technological superpower; we use the relics for their intended purpose. To give humanity the edge it needs. And the Grimm? The Grimm are nothing but wild animals; the only reason we fear them is that Salem gives them direction, takes that away, and they are mindless beasts. Look, I only wish to see those that control the world and set it down the path of destruction brought down. So that the people can finally have the one thing I never got to have...peace."

Qrow: "And what about you? What will you do?"

Hawk: "...I don't know. Maybe when this is all over, I'll just..." Looking down at Yamato. "Maybe I'll go see Raven."

Qrow: "Woah! Hey! Don't talk like that! Look...I know you are in a lot of pain, but Raven gave you the tools to succeed, and I doubt she'd want you to squander a chance at a good life."

Hawk: "Heh...Look at you, being a good parent. You're a natural."

Qrow: "Look, all I'm saying is the people in charge aren't always bad."

Hawk: "Qrow..dad, please look. Ironwood led both Atlas's military and its academy like a tyrant. Lionhart leads his huntsmen to their deaths and sells out the others to spare himself, leaving Mistral in the hands of Salem and The White Fang. Theodore can't even control Vacuo since it's the most lawless place on the planet. And Ozpin would throw a celebration rather than deal with Salem and her disciples closing in. They all crave power to control others, and they are willing to sacrifice innocents to keep said power. Look, I don't care if you don't join me...but I don't want to have you be an enemy...please."

Qrow was at a mental crossroads. This was his son, his flesh and blood. He needed to make a choice, a choice that would be on him to atone for. He looked up at Hawk; he had never seen him act so human in a long time. The last time was when he had just lost both his clan and mother on the same day. But unlike the saddened and heartbroken teenager, standing before him was a compassionate and empathetic young man. He wanted to ensure that the only family he had left was safe. But unlike Qrow, Hawk had a goal. Looking down at the vial of black liquid in his hands, which he could only assume was that "Qliphoth Juice" Nora spoke of. He slightly chuckled, which intrigued Hawk.

Qrow: "Meh, I've probably had worse." Popping the top of the vial and downing the liquid, like he was taking a shot of tequila.

Qrow would end up regretting that decision as he curled up in agonizing pain. He felt an incredible pain flow through his body as though he was being electrocuted. He could feel whatever he drank creep through his body. Hawk quickly rushed over, flooding Qrow's body with demonic energy, hoping to dull and speed up the transition. As Qrow struggled to calm down, the pain began to subside. Finally stopping, Qrow could breathe easy again. Slowly sitting up, he feels Hawk put a hand on his shoulder.

Hawk: "Why? Why did you do that?"

Qrow: "I'm a dad now. If you think I'm gonna let my son fight a war by himself, then you got another thing coming."