Child of Omens: Part 3

Chapter 11: Return to the Terror

Morning came as Falke helped Summer and Ky prepare the ship to fly back to Shade Academy. His previous sickness had now gone away overnight, but it came at a high cost; he had lost his ability to use the Yamato. It being bound and used by his counterpart, Hawk. Summer, when introduced to Hawk, was always her cheery self, but he acted as though he didn't know her. Ky didn't feel alright around Hawk; he said that Hawk had him the "heebee-jeebees." Finished loading the ship, Dante and Vergil walked up, Dante reeling from a hangover while Vergil enjoyed a cup of tea he made. Finally spotting Hawk, Falke was stunned as Raven stopped Hawk and pulled him into a hug that he accepted without a second thought. After breaking the hug, Raven gives Hawk a warm smile as he turns to make his way to the ship.

Hawk: "What? I can't say goodbye?"

Falke: "Nothing! I just didn't know you and Raven got that close...I mean, it's fine. Just treat her right, okay?"

Hawk: "What in the hell are you on about?! I'm not dating her, you moron! She was my mom in my world. Your Raven accepted me as her son. If you have a problem, then I suggest you keep it to yourself."

Falke: "Look..me, just because you got my sword doesn't mean you're in charge here."

Hawk: "Oh, I apologize. Aren't you the one who was dying until I came along? You're looking quite well, by the way."

Summer: "We are all good to go. You two ready?"

Hawk: "Of course, Ms. Rose. Shall we, Falke?" Falke scoffed as he and Hawk boarded the ship as it lifted off and flew them toward Vacuo.

Back in Vacuo, the rest of Team NAFP had received word from Ky that they were returning with an extra guest. They assumed that this additional person was Raven, so they weren't too worried. A day or two had passed since the message, and the team was in class going over notes they had taken, more accurately Nero and Ace copying Pyrrha's notes.

Intercom: "Will Team NAFP, please report to Landing pad 3."

The team was making their way to the Landing pad. Pyrrha was most excited to see Falke once again, and coming to the Landing pad, they watched as Ky's ship began to land. As the ship doors opened, they watched as Dante hopped out, Vergil following behind. Then Falke climbed out, waving at the others. But the joy had left their faces and was replaced by a trembling fear as they all drew their weapons on the last person. Hawk walked out holding his Yamato, not paying any mind to the three who drew their weapons on him. He looked out over the city of Vacuo. He reminisced over the last time he was here, the fire, the blood...the screams.

Falke: "Woah! Woah! Guys, calm down. He's...friendly." His team lowered their weapons.

Dante: "Yep, lady, gents, allow me to introduce you to Hawk. He helped us out. Thanks, by the way, Hawk."

Hawk: "My pleasure, Dante. So...this is the team you've made yourself familiar with, Falke."

Hawk recognized Pyrrha and remembered the version of her he had fallen for. Choosing not to let his love for his version of her cloud his view on this version.

Nero: "Name's Nero. It's good to meet you." Has recognizing him.

Hawk: "It's good to meet you as well."

Ace: "People call me Ace."

Hawk: "I'm assuming it's because you have a fascination with firearms. Either way, it's nice to meet you."

Pyrrha: "Hello! My name is Pyrrha Branwen. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Hawk: "Branwen? I was under the assumption that Falke was the only child of the Branwen's."

Pyrrha: "I actually married in." Taking hold of Falke's hand.

Falke: "It's..uh..a bit complicated. We haven't had the ceremony yet."

Hawk: "...Congratulations."

Dante: "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, you four get to class. We'll take Hawk here to see the headmaster."

Team NAFP began to head to the class while Dante and Vergil walked with Hawk to see Headmaster Theodore.

Nero: "Was that the guy who made that large explosion we felt a couple of days ago?" Falke nodded.

Ace: "And judging by the blade he had in his hand. This guy took your blade as well."

Falke: "Yep, and not much I could do about it."

Pyrrha: "Well, did he help you with your...problem?"

Falke: "Yes...he also got rid of Angelo."

Pyrrha: "So Jaune's?" Falke nodding. "Oh."

Nero: "So how're you gonna get your sword back?"

Falke: "Not going to lie to you, Nero. I don't think that's an option. Hawk is...he's something else."

Ace: "You make it sound like he can't be beaten."

As the team continues down the hall to the class, on the other side of the school, Hawk walks behind Dante and Vergil as he remembers when he and his Four Swords raided this city for the key to the Vault holding the relic of will. He remembers walking down these very halls, huntsman and huntresses fighting with a fury he could respect, but like everyone he fought before, they too fell to his blade.

Vergil: "So you're the new king of hell?"

Dante: "Yeah, don't bother acting surprised we sensed Mundus's energy mixed with yours when you came back."

Hawk: "Hmph. Well, at least you aren't as blind as my counterpart." Hawk grew a dark aura in his eyes. "But you are correct. Mundus's energy is part of my being."

Vergil: "Are you really who you say you are?"

Hawk: "If your suggesting I'm a clone of Falke made by Mundus, you are sadly mistaken. No, in my world, I killed Mundus and took his energy into myself. Becoming the king of the Underworld."

Dante: "That's impossible. The demons of the Underworld would never let a human hold the throne...unless."

Hawk: "There you go, put the pieces together."

Vergil: "You aren't human."

Hawk: "Jackpot...apologies, I couldn't help myself. Yes, in my world, to complete my goal, to take vengeance on those who stood by while everything I had was taken from me, I had to discard my humanity. But to say it was or is a bad thing is nothing more than foolish."

Dante: "You threw away everything that made you human just to get power, all for revenge. Hmph, and you say Falke's blind."

Hawk: "But he is. He doesn't understand what I went through. No one here does. I chose to cast off my humanity because it was the only thing I had left that held me back from being what I was truly meant to become. In doing so, I gained the power to slay gods, to conquer hell, and cut down any who stood in my way."

Vergil: "You also gained the short-sighted views of those you now share blood with. You have become the one thing that destroyed your life."

Hawk: "That's rich coming from the man who forsook his whole family just to steal the power of the gods. At least Dante wasn't scared of dying." Vergil summoned his blade, pointing it at Hawk's throat.

Vergil: "You shut your mouth."

Hawk: "Or what? You'll kill me just like you said you killed Mundus?...So how about you put your little toothpick away, and you both take me to get enrolled in this accursed school, or would you like to feel what it is like to die the painful way?" Vergil glares as he desummons his blade and storms past Hawk.

Dante: "Let's go." Following closely behind his brother.

Hawk: "With pleasure."