Child of Omens: Part 3

Chapter 21: Wisdom to the Flame

Hawk: "I wasn't saying I was here to help you. I'm saying 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 close, and we'll be on our way."

Salem sits across the room from Hawk and his Four Swords, quite amused by their demand.

Salem: "How bold of you to come all the way here expecting anything more than a painful death. *sigh* Cinder."

Cinder on command launches a torrent of flames towards Hawk. Pyrrha, however, steps in the way and forms a large tower shield, protecting them both from the flames as the other two jump out of the way. Nora, however, doesn't dodge, she instead rushes through the fire and hits Cinder with War Cry. Cinder's aura was able to take the hit, but the force of the attack sent her crashing through one of the windows. Salem stands and uses her dark magic to attack Pyrrha and Hawk, but Ren intervenes, creating a magic barrier protecting the two.

Salem: "So it seems you have some aptitude for magic."

Nelo Qrow: "That's not all!"

Salem then feels the energy of the Dark God latch onto her shoulders as Qrow uses his chained hooks to sink into her body. Yanking her towards them, she flies right into the cold edge of Yamato. Severing her head from her body. As her head rolls away and begins to try and reattach itself to the body, Ren entraps her severed head in a cylindrical spell.

Nelo Ren: "That should prevent her from regenerating. But it won't stop her Grimm."

Hawk: "No matter. Pyrrha, you've been out of practice for a while; you shall handle the Grimm. Qrow, secure the Relic of knowledge and make sure any who are still loyal to Salem here are dealt with."

Nelo Nora: "What about Cinder?"

Hawk: "She won't try anything stupid like fight us; she won't be a problem. For now, we use this fort as a base, it's secluded enough, and the surrounding Grimm will involuntarily protect us-" The five stop as they all feel a massive pulse of demonic energy.

Nelo Pyrrha: "Was that the other you?"

Hawk: "No. That was...Ren, Nora, investigate whatever that was. If it is my other self, Falke, don't do anything too rash." The two nod as they leave the room.

Flashback End

Cinder: "And that's what happened. After the two we just fought left, I had to seek...help against Hawk. You being the only other person that might stand a chance against him."

Cinder stood inside Ky's ship as team NAFP, Summer, and Ky listened to her story.

Ace: "Ok, well, we know where they are... let's head back to Shade, tell Dante and the others where Hawk is and show up at their little fort and kick some ass. Easy."

Nero: "Not easy, Ace. Shade's in no condition to launch any offensive. Plus, we fought just two of them and barely won. And that was only because of two random things we couldn't control."

Ky: "Well, we won't need to lift off for another couple of hours so the ship can clean itself of all the leftover sand. So we got time."

Nero: "Thanks, Ky. Team, let's take the time to heal up. Ace, you are the least injured. You keep an eye on our guest."

As the group splits off, Falke is too focused on another matter. He kept playing the scene out in his mind. Hawk walking out of the portal, followed by Pyrrha and Qrow. "How could they?" he thought. How could they side with someone who so willingly killed innocents without a tinge of regret? He continued through his thoughts as Pyrrha sat next to him and laid her head on his shoulder.

Over near a set of stones, Cinder sends a blast of fire, obliterating a stone. Ace walks over with a small bag in his hands.

Ace: "Letting off some steam?" Cinder huffs as she continues to throw balls of fire. "Well, if you don't mind me sitting here, I'm going to make myself some tea."

Cinder then looks over and is utterly confused to see Ace pull out a small portable tea set. Small foldable cups and a kettle are set up under a small bundle of twigs he had found.

Ace: "Damn, where did I leave that accursed thing?" He begins to look through his cost and bag, letter sighing in defeat. "Could you be so kind as to-" Cinder gets the message and lights a fire in the small bundle of twigs. "Thank you."

Cinder: "Never took you for the type to enjoy tea."

Ace: "It's not necessarily a secret I choose to express openly. But it's one I always enjoy having. Would you like to join me for some calming tea? I find that tea can relieve stress and ease the nerves." Cinder thinks for a moment and sighs as she sits down across from him.

Cinder: "If your planning on asking me about my arm, then forget it."

Ace: "Oh! No, I would never think of trying to delve into your privacy like that. I just wanted to enjoy some tea."

Cinder: "Why the fascination with tea?"

Ace: "Back in my early days of being a Huntsman, I met an old man who taught me how to make this amazing Jasmine Tea. He said sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life's true delights."

Cinder: "He sounds like a fool."

Ace: "You'd think that at first, but I learned that he used to be a great warrior. He led a life full of battle and conquest, but one day he lost his son and fell into a deep depression. He would eventually give up his fighting ways and live a life helping people. Not as a huntsman but as a kind soul, wandering the world giving knowledge and lessons to those who would listen."

Cinder: "Hmm, he sounds like an interesting person."

Ace: "Yeah, he was. He once told me that it was important to draw wisdom from many different places. That inspired me to become a sort of wanderer myself. Wandering the world helping people as both a kind soul and a huntsman."

Cinder: "Where did this come from? It's as though you are a completely different person than who I saw earlier."

Ace: "Ah, I just tend to act more...teammate-like with my friends. But when I see you...I see someone in dire need of some wisdom...and some tea. Here." Handing her a cup as he pours her a cup of tea.

Cinder: "So you think you can just help me? I don't need your help. I've been fine all on my own."

Ace: "You say that but have you seen yourself. You are missing your arm and are becoming more Grimm than human. While it is always best to believe in oneself, help from others can be a great blessing."

Cinder: "...Why? Why help me?"

Ace: "I've been around the world quite a bit, and I've seen quite a lot. And if I've learned anything, it's that people are driven by faith. Faith in themselves, gods, technology, or semblances. But I, on the other hand, have faith in people. Yes, they can be cruel, hateful, sadistic, and downright evil at times. I find that if you have faith in people. Faith they can be kind, compassionate, and courageous. You'll never be disappointed. So when you ask me why I choose to help you. It's not because I don't think you aren't strong enough to help yourself; it's because I'm afraid to see good people lose their way."

Cinder couldn't help but be stunned by his words. She drank her tea while contemplating what he said.