Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 82: SUMMON

"How are we supposed to find him?" Harin asked. She eyed Hayate with contempt. It was nightfall now. Their group had gathered in Hayate's yard.

Hayate had told them what happened. What he had said to Touma. Who had caused it... but he, too, blamed himself. He should have resisted more. Why had he given in so easily? Was he so weak?

Little to his knowledge, resisting the third King's suggestive compulsion was near impossible, even for another King.

Hayate looked down, staring at his open palms. "I have an idea." He raised his head. "You all might want to stand back."

The group went to stand behind the pool. Harin had to be dragged by Kaguya. She was the only one who did not know what Hayate intended to do. Makoto had agreed to stay out of this, as he was not a Wielder and thus he was unprotected.

Hayate paced over the lawn, rolling his shoulders as he tried to keep his breathing under control. He cocked his head back, staring at the dark sky. There was a small cloud there.

A warm golden light materialised from Hayate's shadow.

Harin's eyes widened. "Holy shit! It's huge."

Ryuu was quiet as he cocked his head at her. His long body was laid out across the lawn, covering most of it. It was wrapped around Hayate once, his head raised to tower above them all. It looked a bit like a snake circling its prey, ready to strike, but Ryuu was no serpent.

Hayate reached out, touching Ryuu's nose. "Hello, old friend."

A growl like the rumbling of a thunderstorm came from Ryuu's throat.

Makoto's gut twisted from where he watched inside the house. There was a dragon in their backyard! Was Hayate safe?

Ryuu nudged Hayate with his head. Hayate almost lost his footing, but he chuckled. "I have missed you, too." He stroked the ruby scales on Ryuu's nose. "Forgive me."

Ryuu was always with him. Nevertheless, reuniting physically for the first time in centuries left a feeling in Hayate's chest. Something like comfort, like a relief.

When Ryogetsu was a child, he would ride Ryuu. As he got older, he did it less, but he still did. He even took Yuuki up to the sky once.

Though there had been conflict between them, they had never despised one another. For two lifetimes, they shared a soul. Ryuu was his eternal companion. And their reunion was long overdue.

"For what it's worth, I am deeply sorry."

Ryuu lowered his head slightly. 'I forgive you.'

Hayate smiled. "Thank you."

'What do you need?'

"Find Touma for me," he said. Ryuu raised his head to the sky. As he flew upward, his long body followed, like a rope. "And don't let anyone see you!" Hayate called after him.

"President," Nakamura bowed her head respectfully at Katsu. She was only complacent in front of Katsu.

"Have you found what I want?" he asked.

She nodded. "I have. Please, if you would follow me."

Nakamura drove them to an unknown destination. Akira sat beside her at the front. Touma and Katsu sat at the back. All of them were dressed in black. Nakamura was the only one in uniform.

They stopped in front of a one-storey building. Two ERIS agents stood guarding the entrance.

They walked inside. Hachiro was there, too. Akira nodded at Hachiro. He did not acknowledge the greeting.