Red Hawk

Chapter Five: The Red Swordsman

Three days later, Kai returned to the guild to give a full report. Sabrina seemed to be pleased with how well he had filled it out. But Kai could tell when she reached the part about Hibiki, her facial expression shifting drastically. "Is Odin around?" Kai asked her when she finished reading the report.

"He should be in his office," she replied while focusing on filing the report. "I don't believe he is busy today, do you need to see him."

"Please." She explained to him how to reach the headmaster's office from where they were. It was on the top floor, the only room located there. The door was already open, almost as if he were expecting Kai to visit. The room wasn't much to look at. Mostly empty space, a few cluttered bookshelves thrown randomly against the wall. Odin's desk was rather small, and behind him was a red stained glass window, a black hawk cast a shadow over the room.

"Ah, if it is not the newest member of my guild," odin smiled. "Please, excuse the mess. Take a seat if you wish."

Kai walked towards the desk, "I had an...,incident during my quest. I ran into someone."

"Hibiki," Odin replied, turning his chair towards the stained glass. "Yes, I had a feeling he would be making his move soon."

"He seems troubled," Kai sighed, "and he blames you for what happened to him."

"He would, and I will never question as to why. But please, do not try and explore this issue."

"Does anyone else in the guild know about him?" Odin was silent. For some reason, Kai couldn't help but think of his father. The same cold, secretive silence, "So no one does?! But shouldn't we be allowed to know?!"

Odin turned to Kai with a smile, "They know he exist, but they do not know my past with him. Please, I need you to trust me. But, should you ever face him again, well I am afraid you will not survive."

"Just answer one thing for me, please," pleaded Kai. Odin gave a gesture to show he was listening. Kai sighed, "His body was disfigured, and he claimed you did that to him. Is it true?"

"Yes," Odin sternly said. "I did not wish to, but I had been forced to use excessive force. Is that all?"

"Yes," Kai answered halfheartedly.

"Then I'll ask this, do you trust me?" Having no reason not to, Kai agreed. "I'll tell you when the time is ready?" smiled Odin. "Now then," he suddenly tacked on in a cheery tone, "we should work on finding you a Chi instructor."

A month later, Kai had adjusted to his new lifestyle. Most of the quest he took on since then were in the immediate area. His name was even starting to spread around Elrosa a bit. He was returning from Zesbel, having decided to take a trip once a month to visit his mother. Unlike his father, he wanted to keep in touch with his family. Hide was waiting for him at the station, the two of them having grown somewhat as friends as time went on.

Hide had been training Kai in the use of Chi, and the progress had given great results. It was to the point Kai could trigger his Chi instantaneously, though he could only hold the power charge for up to five minutes as of now. "I'm telling you, your progress is amazing!" Hide praised Kai as they walked the streets. But even after all that time, Hide still sometimes slipped up, "One day you'll probably be as good as Leon Vickery."

Kai stopped moving, his eyes staring at Hide angrily. Suddenly Hide felt it hard to breathe, "I-I mean, he just got promoted to the guild headmaster of Iron Skull, and I think you have potential to become a headmaster one day."