Chapter 5: Unveiling Shadows
The ever-watchful eyes of ShinRa's Turks had intensified their scrutiny of Hawke, thanks in part to the ever-playful Reno. And now, Tseng has joined in this relentless surveillance, casting a deeper shadow over Hawke's already tumultuous life. To evade their constant gaze, she made herself conspicuously scarce around the other girls, disappearing for longer intervals. The last time she had joined them for a longer stretch out time out in the open, Aerith had glimpsed Tseng's personal shadow, a sight that sent shivers down her spine and left her visibly shaken.
Hawke couldn't help but feel irritated for the rest of the day, her instincts urging her to confront Tseng. She considered utilizing her skills to corner him, although she knew all too well how elusive he could be when he didn't wish to be found. This anticipated confrontation excited and vexed her in equal measure, for Tseng had been a relentless pursuer of Aerith for far too long.
As planned, Hawke and Bethany maintained their routines, attempting to blend into the fabric of life in Sector 5. Elmyra, having witnessed Bethany's innate abilities, readily accepted the sisters as distant relatives of Aerith. She believed their extraordinary talents were what connected them to the girl and how they managed to locate her.
The first time Bethany affectionately addressed Elmyra as "Aunt," the older woman was caught off guard, her face flushing with surprise. She nearly dropped a plate she was cleaning, but Bethany, with her characteristic cheekiness, continued as if nothing was amiss. Hawke found it amusing how easily Elmyra could be flustered by such a simple familial term, and so she, too, adopted the title. Elmyra tolerated it, even going as far as referring to them as her nieces, specifying that it was from her late husband's side when asked by curious neighbors.
As the days unfolded, the three women initiated open discussions about their options and strategies to ensure the safety of Elmyra and her beloved daughter, Aerith, not to mention Bethany. They realized that Elmyra could serve as a protective ally, entrusted with watching over her sister, especially when Hawke eventually embarked on the next phase of their plan, even if they hadn't entirely figured out the details yet.
Their discussions about joining ShinRa's SOLDIER program led to a resounding rejection. The reasons were twofold. Firstly, their status as relations to Aerith and Elmyra, even if from the late husband's side, made them vulnerable to scrutiny from the Turks. They decided to err on the side of caution and assume that the Turks had already shared information about Bethany's unique abilities, and sinister ShinRa scientists were eager to capture her for experimentation.
Bethany's unpredictable nature when it came to her powers and her reactions to Mako injections or JENOVA's cells raised concerns about what the SOLDIER program might do to her. Second, and more straightforwardly, Hawke's fiery temper and impulsive nature posed a risk. She was prone to violence when provoked, and joining the SOLDIERs would undoubtedly lead to confrontations and potentially fatal consequences.
Despite Elmyra and Aerith's hesitance, Bethany remained determined to make a case for joining the Turks, even if it meant confronting Tseng. Aerith believed Tseng might be open to negotiation, but at a high cost. Hawke hoped to leverage Tseng's curiosity about her and his reluctance to capture Aerith, expecting that a reasonable deal could be struck, with minimal repercussions. She even held out hope that he might be willing to teach her how to use a gun. But then again, Hawke was all for them disappearing into the night and leaving this wretched, life-draining city behind. Where Elmyra hesitated, Aerith flat out refused. That surprised Hawke, she would have assumed the spunky young girl would jump at the thought of escaping and living their lives far away from there, seeing nature in abundance, feeling the brunt of the sun's light on her skin, being able to breathe the air without the taste and burn of smog.
One morning, the residents of Sector 5 found themselves engaged in a bustling frenzy, cleaning up the wreckage from the sheds that had collapsed overnight. Hawke was in the thick of it, helping search for survivors and clearing debris. With each heavy slab of concrete and metal she moved, her body grew heavier and more fatigued. The work was grueling, and she was soon drenched in sweat after hours of heavy lifting. Bethany and Aerith, on the other hand, had taken up roles as healers, using their magical abilities to assist the injured in the small courtyard of the Leaf House, masquerading as healing materia.
As Hawke labored in the sweltering heat, the debris piled up around her. She let the residents of Sector 5 direct her to where she was needed, making herself useful by providing the needed muscle – she managed to surprise quite a few people with her strength. With all the mindless laboring she was doing, it was hard not to let her mind wander. She worries a lot. What if she does the wrong thing? So much is resting on her decisions and she was always more of 'fight and ask questions later' kind of girl, Bethany may be her usual voice of reason but there is going to be a point in time where Hawke is going to be on her own. Putting her foot in her mouth is more than likely to happen and that could be very costly – especially with the known players who are very good at cheating and killing. But then again, she was also very good at those things too and by the Maker–and the Goddess, may as well accept it at this point–she was ready to kill one of those pricks. Their faces were practically begging for–
A shout from one of the other volunteers broke her reverie. "Hawke, we need some help here!"
Turning her attention back to the task at hand, Hawke muscled through the fatigue and made her way to assist. Another of the volunteers, not the same one who called for her, pointed her to the other side of a steel beam with instructions to hold it up and as steady as she could. She moved atop one of the questionably standing shacks and strained as the beam's pressure bore down on her already tired body, she would feel her muscle pulling taut from her arms all the way down to her feet.
Cries and shoots overlapping. Her breath coming in ragged gasps as the seconds felt like hours.
"Hold steady!"
"Almost there!" Someone shouted, their voice filled with a sense of urgency. "Hurry!"
With a great heave, more beams and concrete fell in succession around them, falling outwards away from the one she was holding up. She gritted her teeth and used every ounce of her strength to keep the beam from collapsing any further. The debris around her had fallen away, revealing a family huddled together, battered but alive. As the beam was finally lifted away, cheers erupted from those who had rushed to help.
"Let it go, Hawke!" She lets go.
With a heavy sigh of relief, Hawke stepped back and wiped her brow, her arms trembling from the immense effort. The family was quickly attended to by the other volunteers and led to safety. They had been saved from the debris, thanks to Hawke's immense strength and the quick response of the people of Sector 5.
As she caught her breath and surveyed the scene, a sense of pride and accomplishment washed over her. In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty of their lives, she had made a tangible difference by helping and saving lives.
Hawke couldn't help but reflect on her earlier doubts and worries about her place in this ever-complicated world. She had always been a woman of action, a warrior with a strong moral compass. Lately her mind was often consumed by thoughts of her impending confrontation with Tseng and the shadowy figures of ShinRa, but in moments like these, she found solace in knowing that her actions could bring hope and help to those in need.
Tseng observed the scene from a hidden vantage point, his sharp eyes focused on the turmoil in Sector 5. He had come here to ensure that his subordinates were carrying out their mission, and he was surprised to see Hawke, the mysterious woman who had somehow become intertwined with the Ancient, taking a prominent role in the rescue efforts. Though, perhaps he shouldn't be considering the caring nature of the Ancient and her need to help everyone; quite likely she simply asked the woman to help and she did just as she was told. From his concealed position, he watched as she lifted a heavy beam, her muscles straining under the immense weight. It was an impressive display of strength, one that hinted at a well-trained individual.
The scene played out before him, and Tseng couldn't help but wonder about Hawke's motives. What drove her to protect Aerith and involve herself in these dangerous situations? He knew that his superiors in ShinRa wanted Aerith, and they would stop at nothing to obtain her. But was Hawke an obstacle, a potential ally, or something else entirely?
As the rescued family was led to safety, Tseng noticed Hawke wiping the sweat from her brow and catching her breath. He studied her carefully, his thoughts racing as he contemplated the next steps. He had to tread carefully; Hawke was unpredictable, and her loyalty was uncertain. The Turks–Reno and lower ranking members–had clashed with her before, and they had emerged worse for wear. For now, Tseng decided to wait and observe. The situation in Sector 5 was fluid, and they needed to understand the dynamics at play.
Tseng couldn't shake the feeling that the game was growing more complex with each passing day. Hawke remained a mysterious piece of the puzzle, and he knew that the next move had to be calculated and strategic. The future was uncertain, but Tseng was determined to ensure that ShinRa's interests were protected, even as he navigated the unpredictable waters of this intriguing new player in the unfolding drama.
Now that she had time to relax a bit, her senses practically screamed at her. Hawke couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. She couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from, but a creeping sense of unease hung in the air, and it was more than just the usual concern she felt over the looming presence of the Turks. Even amidst the bustling chaos of the rescue efforts, her instincts were on high alert.
As the bustling scene of the post-rescue efforts settled into a more tranquil rhythm, Hawke decided to slip away from the crowd and find a quiet corner to collect her thoughts. Her instincts were rarely wrong, and the lingering unease gnawed at her.
She moved through the alleyways and side streets of Sector 5, following an instinctual pull that seemed to guide her. There was an eerie silence in the narrow passages, a stark contrast to the chaos she had just left behind. The air was heavy with the scent of dust and debris, remnants of the day's labor.
Turning a corner, she finally reached a secluded spot where she could take a breath and focus. Her sharp eyes scanned her surroundings, seeking any signs of an observer. The city's shadows seemed to come alive with secrets, and Hawke felt like a hunter, poised and ready to confront the unknown.
A faint rustling sound drew her attention, and she silently moved towards it. It led her to a cluster of discarded crates piled in a corner, and as she approached, she heard a hushed conversation. Peering behind the crates, she was met with the sight of two of her fellow volunteers, talking in low voices. Their words were difficult to discern, but a shiver ran down Hawke's spine.
Their discussion seemed more than just casual chatter about the day's events. There was an air of secrecy, and they glanced around as if fearing that someone might overhear. Hawke's instincts screamed that this was not a coincidence, that her unease was justified. She knew that ShinRa's eyes were everywhere, and it was possible that some of the volunteers had been planted to keep an eye on Aerith. It was a chilling thought, and it made her wonder about the extent of the conspiracy and manipulation in play. She couldn't trust any of the people in this city, anyone could be an enemy.
After memorizing their faces, Hawke retreated from her hidden position, not wanting to reveal her presence. Her mind was racing, and she knew that she had to tread carefully. She had become an integral part of the struggle in Sector 5, and the people here had come to rely on her.
Her unease hadn't dissipated; instead, it had intensified. She felt like a pawn in a much larger game, and the stakes were higher than she had ever imagined. As she made her way back to her makeshift family, she was determined to uncover the truth and protect those she had come to care for.
The shadows of Midgar were deeper and more treacherous than she had ever anticipated, but Hawke had little choice but to confront them head-on, whatever the cost.
AN: Hey! It's been awhile! I saw the last time I posted so I decided to spend the last few hours thinking of what to write. It isn't long but it's something. Let me know if I made any mistakes, I only gave a once over so I could have missed something.
Man do I need to replay DA2 again, I keep forgetting how chaotic Hawke could be - I loved how sarcastic she could be. I lived for it lol
As you may have guessed (or didn't), I don't want to write her as OP, I want her to have human limitations just like everyone else while still being able to grow. She wears down and gets tired like a normal person. Also, don't forget, I did mention that I fudged the ages for them so they are younger than the end events of DA had them.