Child of Omens Ruination: Aftermath

Chapter 21: But in the End, It has to be this Way

Hawk ducks under a collapsed rubble as he gets closer to the towering spout of flame. He knew what he was heading towards. It would either be a fight of his life or the last battle of his life. The thought of failing wasn't something he wanted to think about, but it was too much of a possibility to ignore. If he made a mistake or underestimated Cinder, then she would annihilate the entire planet, and it would only be a matter of time before she managed to head to different worlds. He had to stop her here and now, the only problem being if he could. Hawk was extremely weakened, never having a moment's rest since beginning the assault on what used to be the tower of the SMC. His demonic power had about fizzled out. The energy Dante was giving to him had run out, resulting in Dante not being able to communicate, and the energy Vergil was giving to him would soon run out as well. The major downside of him being this weak was that he had no form of regeneration. If Hawk were to lose and be killed, he wouldn't be coming back.

If there was one silver line in this situation, it was that Cinder was also nearly empty of her demonic power. Having to reconstruct the human mind as well as retain memories, on top of regenerating her heavily damaged body, was more than taxing. Even when Hawk was a full-blooded demon, attaching severed limbs or replacing damaged vital organs was a long process requiring an enormous amount of power. Cinder was running low; by the time she finished, she would be near the same state as him.

Vergil(mental): "Hawk...If this is the last time we speak with one another, I want to know that I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me most."

Hawk: "There's no need to apologize. My mother used to tell me that Fate is rarely ever kind to the strong, and in truth, I deserved my punishment. Back then and even now, I never once had ill will to you or Dante..for anything."

Vergil(mental): "It has been a true honor and a pleasure to know you, Hawk Branwen. You have more than certainly made your mother proud." Hawk smiled as he climbed down toward the crater the pillar was centered in.

Reaching the bottom of the large carter, Hawk notices how the crater's base was perfectly circular, with enough space for two individuals to battle. An arena, much like the ones Pyrrha had told him about when she was a tournament champion. Tightening his grip on the hilt of Omen, he readies himself for Cinder.

Cinder: "How do you like it?" Hawk hears her voice emanating from the pillar of flame. "I wanted to make our last time together theatrical." Hawk watches as Cinder walks out of the spout of flame as it dissipates behind her.

Hawk: "It doesn't have to be this way, Cinder. I've been to other worlds, seen versions of you where you didn't turn out this way. This path of vengeance you walk won't lead you to any peace. Believe me; you'll only end up more empty than when you started." Cinder's face turned to that of disgust.

Cinder: "Who are you? You can't be the same Hawk from all those years ago. What happened to the "Crimson Tyrant" I've heard so much about? The figure of fear and hatred that had no qualms about slaughtering anyone and everyone who got in his way?"

Hawk: "I'm not that person anymore. I'm not that...monster."

Cinder: "You think you're any different. You will always be a monster just like me. The only difference being, I'm not some pansy that got scared and lives in denial."

Hawk: "....You're right. I thought I could leave this all behind. I thought if I cut out the evil within myself that I could live a normal life..a peaceful life. But I was a fool in thinking that things would change. You and I are monsters, Cinder, but there's only room in this world for one monster...and it's not going to be you." Drawing Omen from his sheath as he readies himself.