Child of Omens: Part 3

Chapter 18: Rebuild What is Lost

Back in Shade Academy, after the destruction Hawk left in his escape. Falke and the others are heading the city defenses against Grimm, drawn from the frightened people. Xanthe Rumpole was made into Shade's new headmaster. Dante and Vergil, we're leading the city reconstruction, so they had no time to teach classes. Currently, Team NAFP is walking the walls of the city's outer edge. Falke had been given a standard longsword to use, as Hawk still had his Yamato. Falke is leaning on the battlements looking out over the wrecked city.

Nero: "You know we're supposed to look out over the desert, not the city."

Falke: "You don't understand. I could've stopped this, but he just disregarded me. Threw me off like trash."

Ace: "Damn right. He just tossed everyone around like it was nothing."

Pyrrha: "Hey, leave Falke alone. How could he have known Hawk would do this? Besides, I don't remember you doing anything to help, Ace."

Falke: "Quit it! *sigh* Look, we're back to square one here. We don't have any of the relics, and there's a version of me that's looking to destroy this world for some self-righteous crusade. We can't be fighting one another."

Nero: "He's right. Hawk needs to be stopped."

Ace: "Yeah, he's right. Sorry, Pyrrha."

Nero: "So...what do we do?"

Falke: "I say we go after him. He can't have gone far, we're strong enough to stop him, but we have to go try."

V: "Spoken like a true huntsman." The team turns to see V walking up with Shadow beside him.

Nero: "Counselor V? What're you doing here?"

V: "I couldn't help overhear your conversation about Hawk. But I must ask, is this something you wish to follow through?" Falke, sensing where V was going with this, looks to his teammates as they nod.

Falke: "I think you already know the answer to that question." V smiles as behind them, Ky's ship hovers into view.

Ky(Speaker): "Heya, kid. Ready to kick ass?"

Nero: "You know, counselor. You'll get in trouble for doing this."

V: "Oh, please. If worse comes to worse, I'll just put all the blame on Ky." The ship turns around as the ramp lowers, the team beginning to hop on.

Falke: "Thank you, V. We'll make sure to fix this."

V: "Mr. Branwen, before you go. I suggest you pay a visit to an old set of ruins. I visited it a long time ago and found something there that may interest you. I already have Ky taking you there. First, I just wished to inform you of it."

Falke: "Thanks. Tell my dad not to worry too much." V nods as Falke hops on Ky's ship, as its doors close and the ship flies off.

Hundreds of miles away, in a set of abandoned ruins, a large stone door glows an ominous red as inside a sword rest on a pedestal. It hums with energy as it comes to life with a bright red glow.

LAND OF DARKNESS

Inside Salem's large castle, she sits on her throne as she ponders what her next move shall be. Into the room walks Cinder, who kneels at the foot of the throne.

Salem: "What news do you have for me, Cinder?"

Cinder: "Yes, my lady. Something seems to have decimated the city of Vacuo and Shade Academy. It also appears that the huntsmen have lost both the Blade of Destruction and the Staff of Creation. We may have a chance to take the relics."

Salem: "It would appear so. But who or what could've taken the relics from the Branwen child. We must tread carefully as not to draw the attention of whomever our unintentional ally may be."

Hawk: "Too late!" His voice echoed throughout the room, and the two stood up in an alert position.

Salem: "Who are you? Show yourself."

Hawk: "As you said yourself, I'm your unintentional ally."

Cinder: "If you were our ally, then you'd show yourself."

Hawk: "Ah yes, it would be quite rude of me not to show myself. Allow me to rectify that."

The door blast open as dark smoke rolls into the room. Standing at the doorway is Hawk, who doesn't have his horns—having shaved his horns down so he could hide their stumps underneath his hair. In his hand, the Yamato glows a sinister crimson, while the Staff of Creation rests on his back.

Hawk: "A pleasure to meet you two. My name's Hawk, and I'm here to help."

Cinder: "That's one way of making an entrance."

Salem: "Hmm, and how is it that you were able to obtain both the relic of Destruction and Creation?"

Hawk: "Simple enough...I took the staff, and the sword was always mine, to begin with. I just had to take it back."

Salem: "Then you wouldn't mind handing over the staff, would you?"

Hawk: "Oh, I think you misunderstand."

A green portal opens up as from out of it steps four more individuals. One is a girl in a set of glowing armor, and she holds a spear in her hand that radiates divine energy.

Following behind her is a young man with black hair who seems to have made the portal. His hands are sparking with magical energy. Right behind him, another girl skips past, wielding an axe larger than herself. Lastly, an older man walks through the portal, twirling a set of sickles that leak shadows.

Hawk: "I wasn't saying I was here to help you. I'm here to help those you seek to eradicate, and these four have made it their mission to help me achieve this goal. So now, how about you hand over that relic you keep so close, and we'll be on our way."