Hitori and Reon were about to reach the forest wall, from where the road would be a straightforward way to the Science Prefecture.
Hitori just hoped the sun would not rise by the time they reach, and he hoped no monster stops them or slows them on their way. With a wand in his hand, he was prepared for that.
Reon had cocked the gun she was holding. She was sure she had crushed a few insects on the way, even a lizard, but she did not bother about it and continued running.
Hitori could feel the warmth leaving the atmosphere as he entered the fog, nothing, not even the summer's sun could make the fog go away.
The fog became thicker with every step, and now the warm was totally gone and the forest's cold remained. It was damp but cold enough to make you shiver. Hitori did not let the cold bother him, he clenched Reon's hand and cut through the bushes and trees.
Finally, the tall walls came into the view. The fog was towering over their heads and a thin mist was at the bottom of the wall.
He looked at Reon, she looked back at him. Then she gave him a sign by tightening her grip. "I will." She closed her eyes.
Hitori closed his and started imagining the other side. That dark sky and the guards with rifles on every corner. Barely any citizen could be seen walking in the open. The pollution had taken over the clouds just like robots had taken over the human chores.
He doubted if the men ever went to the grocery for food. They can just order the Delivery Bot and enjoy their meal while staying at him.
Then he went further into the city and imagined Onogi's fortress. He did not want to teleport that far, in fact, he knew he can not teleport that far. Freaky.
His heart jumped, and he felt like throwing up – then a feeling of nausea hit him – which had never happened before. Then he opened his eyes.
The sun had not risen on the other side. Due to the pollution in the air, a dark cloud of smoke covered the rising sun, leaving the Scientist Prefecture in the dark.
The towers were looming over his head and the nozzles of the machine guns were pointed at the ground. In front of him was an empty road, the only road that lead to a mansion at the end of it. On raising his head, the fort at the end of the road stood tall and dark – like a vampire's mansion.
He scoffed at the sight. What was he thinking? He would reach Onogi's fort from that distance. Now that was an insane thought. He released Reon's hand and took a step forward.
"We have far to go," Reon muttered behind him.
Hitori nodded. Then he looked at the rising sun. "And we need to hurry." He turned to her. She considered for a second, then nodded.
"You know the way, right?" she asked as he followed him.
"Yes. We will take the woods." He grabbed her hand again, and they were off into the woods.
Hitori knew the road like his road home after going through that path four times. It was a straight road anyway unless some guards catch or spot them.
Despite being wanted, not much security was present to guard the invasion of mages – Hitori and Reon could easily get through. But what if it was Onogi's plan to let them in, then send the FBI to get them?
"Do you want to meet your parents?" Hitori said, knowing the consequences of doing so.
Reon's instinctual reply was: 'Of course, you dumb shit!' But then she realized the FBI was looking for her and once her parents meets her, they were not letting her go. Cursing, beating, then suing Hitori would be a different case – he was the reason this happened in the first place.
She shook her head, but her grip tightened. "No. With the given consequences, I think it is better if they forget about me."
Hitori's heart flipped and flopped. "Forget about you? In the sense of having no memories of you?"
"No Christmas, no New Year, no family celebration. Nothing." She was holding a straight face, trying not to reveal her fear and pain, but the tightening grip had hinted to Hitori of her true feelings.
Then he said nothing. They ran and ran and ran till they saw the fort right in front of them. Reon tugged his hand and prompted him to take pause.
He did. Just near the fort, Hitori pulled to the side and hid behind trees and a row of bramble bushes.
"I think we should contact them before charging at the fort."
"Right. And maybe we should check the fort once."
"But contact them first, can you?"
Hitori raised his wand to his mouth and paused. "I have never done this before." But he went ahead and concentrated on connecting to Eya's wand.
He heard a click as if pieces of blocks falling into the right spot, and he was connected.
"Eya-nee?"
"Yes. Where are you? Are you alright?"
He was relieved; he sighed. "We are right in front of the fort. What is the status there?"
"Tengoku and Akira are still busy with their partners. Atama-sensei is standing with us and we are waiting for Tamashi."
"He has not arrived yet?"
"Yet? And we were worried he might hit you on the road. Are you prepared for starting it?"
Hitori paused. Should have said yes? Or no? He could not decide. Then he decided on one thing that was neither yes nor no. "People like us are never prepared for stuff like this. So no."
Eya chuckled. "What is the situation there? Give me the place's description."
"Wait a minute, even I do not know." He rose and peeked at the fort's front door. The glass was shattered and only three guards remained. "Three guards at the front door."
"Just three? What else?"
Hitori looked around and reported: "The top is as we left, destroyed. Of course, they would not bother fixing the place. I do not see any guards on any of the floors. Just that all lights are turned on and it is painful to look at it."
"N-nothing suspicious?"
"What kind of suspicious thing do you want to see? A laser gun?"
"Well, the kind of suspicious weapons you would set up to welcome your enemy."
Hitori smiled. Yes, he had set perfect weapons to welcome his enemies, but: "You never reveal what you have in for your enemies. That would blow the whole concept of welcoming your enemies."
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