The Crimson Thread

Chapter 11: Enduring Exile

A monitor plays as two figures watch the battle that had unfolded between Ryuko Matoi and Satsuki Kiryuin against the Crimson Tyrant. The first figure is Ragyo Kiryuin, who is captivated by the newly created Kamui, while the other figure is the nameless partner she had aligned herself with.

Ragyo: "My, my, whoever designed such an outfit, I must congratulate them. Even if it is a mere mockery of perfection. It seems your foretelling happened exactly as you said they'd play out."

The nameless man remains stoic and more focused on the crystal that floated above his palm. Inside swirled an unknown energy.

Ragyo: "Speaking of foretold events. Those duplicates you said needed to be prepared are now fully functional. You wouldn't happen to be available to disclose the event they are needed in?"

???: "If they are prepared, then you shouldn't worry about where I send them."

Ragyo does a slight eye roll as she goes back to watching the video of the conflict.

Sometime Later. Honno City, Late at Night

Hawk shoots up as he breathes heavily, cold sweat running down his neck as he looks around at his surroundings. He could see that it was night as the small window he woke up next to was wide open, which brought a fresh breeze and the smell of sea salt—the faint light of street lamps peers through the window as he looked around him.

He sees he has been set up on what seemed to be a bed sheet set over a tatami mat. Looking around to see that he wasn't alone in this room. He sees that in the center of the room was what could only be described as a dog pile of people sleeping. Hawk looks on dumbfounded as he manages to recognize Mako, who is in the midst of the sleep pile.

Hawk: (Whispering) "It looks like I've been dropped off in Mako's home."

Hawk moves to sneak past the sleeping pile, eventually leaving the room to see the house he is currently in, a great deal smaller than he could've anticipated. Before he can really get his bearings, the light in the room turns on, as he feels the cold steel of a blade edge poking at his throat. Slowly raising his hands, he sees Ryuko in the pajamas she was lent, pointing her scissor blade at him.

Hawk: "Uh...Morning?" Trying to break the ice, but Ryuko doesn't seem to drop her guard.

Ryuko: "You, "you"?" She asks grimly, reminding Hawk of the last events he could recall.

Hawk: "Yeah. It's me, Hawk." Ryuko lets out a small sigh of relief as she lowers her sword.

Ryuko: "About time you woke up. I thought you were going to be like that forever." She says, taking a seat on the floor.

Hawk: "...Yeah...How did I end up here?"

Ryuko: "After you passed out from us breaking you out of your Kamui's hissy fit, Satsuki pretty much dumped you on me and said you were my problem."

Hawk: "Look...I want to apologize. I had no intention of doing any of what happened."

Ryuko: "Yeah, it's whatever. I kind of assumed you weren't acting right. And Aikuro told me how you started working as the Sewing Club president's bodyguard. You could've at least told me."

Hawk: "Look, the whole idea was to stay OUT of the spotlight. Let you do your thing, and help out where I could. That position offered me the best chance, but I guess Satsuki doesn't like things she can't utilize."

Ryuko: "You don't need to tell me." Hawk sits on the floor across from Ryuko.

Hawk: "So? How long have I been out? Did I miss anything too important?"