Chapter Summary:

Finally seeing a way to save his loved ones, Gon makes a deal with a suspicious witch...

Notes:

"Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her: but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game." - Voltaire

A/N: Made it to the third chapter ヽ( 'ω' )ﾉ See the AUDIO / podfic for this chapter here /watch?v=w2CyaGMO7bA&feature=youtu(PUT A DOT HERE)be

Chapter Rating: None

Chapter Dictionary:

o0o0o0o Begins or ends a flashback.

Kiriko: A Magical Beast with the ability to change its appearance...reference Hunter x Hunter manga, vol. 1 chapter 4, HxH 2011 episode 2

"REALLY?"

"YES. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE for me."

Still a bit skeptical, Gon replied, "All I want is to find my dad… Can you do that? Can you help me?"

"Your dad?" The old woman asked, clearly surprised by his strange request.

"Yes," Gon confirmed. "I need to find him in order to save my family…"

Hmmm. The woman rubbed her chin. Such an innocent request. Her sharp grey gaze analyzed the young man in front of her. What shall I do with this one?

Chapter Three: A Deal

Unbeknownst to Gon, this was not some odd stroke of luck that he had stumbled upon. This old woman had posed this offer of assistance to many people in the past and was used to them wishing for either vast riches, eternal youth or incredible power.

She had grown tired of human greed and now manipulated it for her own entertainment so much so that it had become a hobby of hers to turn the selfish wishes of people against them. It mattered not who they were or where they came from and how badly they wanted their wishes to come true; she promised to grant their wishes and did just that, making their most lusted after dreams come true in the form of horrid nightmares.

If anyone was to ask her why she did this, she would simply reply that it was because it was fun. She did not fool herself into thinking that she was doing the world a good deed by getting rid of greedy people; she did not care about any of that, only the misery that claimed her victims whenever their greedy desires consumed them.

It was cruel, but it was immensely fun for a voyeur like her. And the more self-centered the wish, the more fun she had, but...

Her pewter eyes settled on the boy before her.

But what was she to do now that she was faced with this boy who simply asked to see his father? His wish was neither selfish nor vain, but pure and selfless.

She was not happy about this at all, as she was not the harmless and hunched over old woman that her current guise purported, but a dark witch that reveled in causing misshapen circumstances particularly to travelers. Doing good deeds was not her usual fare, but despite this, she could not help but be impressed by the unusual young man looking up at her.

"Okay, I'll help you with my power," she eventually agreed.

"You can do it?!" Gon asked in a surprised voice. "You really can help me find my dad?!"

"This is not going to be easy for you," The old woman warned in a throaty, creepy whisper, observing that Gon's resolve did not flicker at this. He did not even attempt to put some distance between them and remained standing close, looking at her with fiery eyes.

At this display of bravery, she smirked, looking over him with renewed interest. This is not a good thing for you, she thought with a smile. It's never a good thing to pique my interest.

Heh.

Possessing a tired expression yet eager eyes, this boy appeared as if he had already suffered quite a bit of emotional strain in order to help the loved ones he seemed so determined to save. Now, the witch wanted to know if this same determined composure, youthful vigor and strong will that had gotten him this far, would remain after he knew of the perils he'd have to encounter to save his home. Was he truly brave, or was he simply stupid? Would he remain strong and unmoved or wither to nothing? Would he abandon his loved ones in order to save his life, or would he sacrifice himself for them?

She wanted to know. She needed to know, but despite this she went against her own mischievous desires to warn, "If I am to give you the tools to find your father, the price you'd have to pay might not be one you like…"

"Price?" Gon's brow furrowed. "But…didn't you say that you'd help me in return for what I did for you?"

A moment of silence passed between them as they each stared at the other. Finally, a smile creased one corner of the witch's lips.

"Hoho!" she chuckled heartily and her pristine purple streaked white hair glittered in the morning sun. "You're actually a smart one." She gave him a bright smile. "What's your name, boy?"

"Gon Freecs. My father is—"

"Ging Freecs, Double Star Archaeological Hunter and one of the most powerful Hunters from the Hunters' Association." Her smile became a smirk. "Also…probably the most difficult person to find."

Gon's eyebrows shot up. How does an old woman from this ghetto know about Ging?! Who is she? Maybe she met him already...but how does she know that I'm his son? His surprised expression dissolved into suspicion. "How do you know my dad?"

"I know quite a lot of things, Gon," the old witch responded mysteriously. "I even knew your name before you told me. I only asked because I wanted to see if you would have lied…"

"And what would have happened if I had lied?"

"Let's just say it's best you don't know." She started walking and gestured for him to follow her. When he did, she continued. "I don't usually share my name with people, since they don't live long enough to see me again anyway, but you're…different, I'm sure I'll see you again."

"Huh?" Gon cocked his head to one side as his thoughts raged.

'They don't live long'?

What does that mean—

"My name's Cassandra, and my Nen gives me a very unusual ability. I can summon people and animals from different worlds to assist…or destroy anyone. And I also possess the ability to amplify certain spells and use them without charms and symbols." Stopping suddenly, she looked to Gon with a serious expression. "I won't tell of the mechanisms behind my abilities, but I will tell you that there are always consequences whenever I try to use powerful spells to help people…very interesting consequences…" She laughed, a light happy sound before her voice lowered in an excited, yet sinister whisper. "And I've learned to enjoy watching whatever unfolds…"

"'Spells'?…So you're a witch?" Gon asked, as if he'd only just realized this. Prior to this encounter, his sole knowledge of witches had come from the extravagant tales his Granny would tell him whenever the power went out. Those were nights spent sitting at the large dining table with only the light from a few flickering candles to illuminate the room and a hot cup of cocoa to warm his hands.

Back then Gon had thought that those tales were made up by his grandmother to help pass the time so that he would not grow restless and mischievous; but now...

"..." He focused his questioning gaze on the old woman before him. "If you really are a witch, then—"

"And what would you do if I were to answer in the affirmative?" Cassandra interrupted, releasing her aura in a magenta wave. It was an aura that Gon was unable to see, but he felt its intensity and shuddered. "I'll show you something interesting if that would ease your doubts, ne?" she cooed. "Watch closely…"

"What…" Gon's features were more surprised than fearful as he watched her transform from a crotchety old woman into a tall, young woman with skin the color of warm, polished copper. She had the same white hair that she had in her last disguise but this time, as it contrasted with her smooth dark skin, she appeared to be stunningly beautiful. "How did you-"

"Heh." Cassandra chuckled. Her eyes were still hidden by wavy white bangs, but she looked straight at him as if she could see him clearly. "Didn't you hear what those thugs were saying while they were trying to catch me?" She pushed aside the flowing purple-streaked white hair that hid her pewter irises and flashed him a stunning white smile. "I can change my appearance at will." Tugging at the black dress she wore, she cocked her head to one side and her wide smile became more mischievous; fox-like. "Don't look so surprised. With a father like Ging Freecs, I'm sure you understand that there are quite a few powerful Nen users out here. Even more, within that bunch, there are those who have learned to combine their natural abilities with their Nen type. In my case, it's a careful combination of genetics, Nen and Magic that's given me the power to do what I do."

"'Genetics'?"

"Hnn, yes," Cassandra replied, nodding, her expression a bit more serious now. "I won't tell you all the details but I'm not fully human—" She smiled "—let's just say that one of my parents is human, while the other has the power to change their appearance at will…"

"Change appearances? Like a shape-shifter?" Gon held on to the edge of his chin and looked away momentarily as he thought about what the woman had just told him. Somehow, it was giving him an odd feeling of Déjà Vu. He did not know many shape-shifters except… His eyes snapped back to ones that were a bit more slitted like those of the strange beasts he had met during the Hunters' Exam. "Is one of your parents by chance a Kiri—"

"Meh," Cassandra interrupted him, appearing momentarily surprised that Gon was familiar with magical beasts. "Talking about my family bores me, but you seem to be quite invested in yours…" Her smile was cunning. "You mentioned earlier about wanting to find your dad or something?"

Gon immediately perked up and he stepped closer to her. "Yes! So does that mean you'd help me find my dad?! I need to find him now! I need to hurry before—!"

The witch held up one hand. "Calm down there, boy."

"I'm not a boy." Gon puffed up his cheeks. "Stop calling me that; I'm already fifteen years old! And I'll be sixteen soon!"

Cassandra ignored him. "Okay boy." Scratching the back of her head, she asked in a low voice, "Did you hear anything I said before at all? The price of this wish might even cost you your life."

Unperturbed, Gon clenched his fist and nodded bravely. "I'll pay whatever the price is for my wish!"

"Anything?" The witch singsonged with a sly smile.

"Anything!" Gon confirmed. "I'll do whatever it takes to save my family."

o0o0o0o

NB: Present time…

The rumbling of thunder snapped Gon out of his reverie and he closed his eyes, trying to gather the courage to continue with what he was doing.

Why am I hesitating?

Thinking of the witch now was making him feel uneasy in a way that he could not explain but he inhaled deeply and focused on all the reasons why he should not give up. I can't give up now.

But…

Gon felt as if his heart was suddenly weighted down by the immense rush of guilt that he was experiencing. His aunt Mito would not be pleased if she knew that he was dabbling in magic but Gon knew that he had to do whatever was necessary in order to save not only hers, but many other lives.

In addition to that, there was no way he could stop now. The shape-shifting witch had warned that the ritual was basically like a contract with another realm and that if he stopped midway, there was no telling what could happen.

'It's a very powerful spell,' Cassandra's words echoed in his head. 'You're a very special boy today, un Gon-kun? This spell is my family's but I'll teach it to you. I don't use it often so show me something interesting, ne?'

He swallowed his anxiety and turned to face the broken window behind him that displayed an angry sky occasionally lit by ominous flashes of lightning.

"I hope this works." Gon mumbled as a wave of panic tried to grip him. Despite convincing himself that he was not scared, he could not deny the danger his senses were picking up on in his disturbed surroundings and he was suddenly on alert.

Part of what worried him was that the day had been nice and sunny before he had started the spell.

The sun had been high in the sky, the breeze had been crisp and cool and the sky had been bright, blue and resplendent. Now everything was in complete contrast to that and the howling wind that forced its way through the crevices of the broken pinewood shack seemed to be warning him, telling him to stop.

"Don't do this."

"Why do you insist?

"Do you know what you're sacrificing?"

"Is this really worth it?"

"It's not too late to stop—"

"I can't stop," Gon mumbled, as if responding to the unspoken questions that this incredible force of nature seemed to be throwing at him. He stepped forward with determination. "I won't stop. Not after I've come this far. Not when the lives of those I love are at risk."

"You will regret this!"

Just then a particularly strong gust of wind literally shook the walls of the shack, causing the galvanized roof to shiver and creak in its wake and Gon allowed the paper in his hand to be pulled away by its cold agitated fingers. He did not need it anymore anyway.

Closing his eyes, he recalled the last thing the witch had told him before she'd disappeared,

"There is only one way to grant a wish like yours. If you memorize these words and repeat them without fault; if you're truly serious in your heart about wanting to sacrifice everything to save your family, a mirrored portal will be shown to you. This is a forbidden spell and one of my more dangerous ones, but it's the only one that can help you. In this portal, you will see and learn of things that you never knew existed. Beautiful, painful, pleasurable things...and if my friends on the other side take a liking to your cause and admire your spirit as I have, they will tell you what you need to know...they know everything."

A/N: Hmmmmm...

Next Chapter Preview: Will Gon successfully complete the spell to acquire the help that the needs? And who could the witch's friends be? Does that mean trouble for Gon?