Short chapter. Sorry!


We rode on the airship to the third phase of the exam.

"It's nice to have a quick glimpse of the candidates." said Mr. Neteros, studying each and every one of us.

"I'm Mr. Neteros's assistant, Beans." said a small man with a green, bean-shaped head. "Dinner will be served in the cafeteria and all of you are allowed to sleep until we arrive at our destination at eight in the morning."
"Gon, let's go exploring." said Killua.

"Sure!" and they ran off.

"How could these two still have so much energy?" Leorio asked.

"They're still kids. It's only natural." I said happily.

Kurapika, Leorio, I made our way to the room where we would be allowed to sleep.

"Hey, how many phases are there?" asked Kurapika.

"Hmm, I never thought of it." Leorio said.

"Neither have I." I added.

"There are about six to seven." said a voice behind us. It was Tonpa.

"Oh, so there should be about four or five more."

"Maybe the next phase will take place here." said Tonpa. "And you're being fooled by being told thatyou can rest. But in reality the next challenge takes place in the middle of the night, while you are asleep."

"That's really tricky." I commented.

"We'll remember that, Tonpa." said Kurapika.


In our room, my collar miraculously stopped shocking me. I opened Nicole's laptop and contacted Feldar.

"Hmm? What's that, Valenia?" asked Leorio.

"It's a laptop I found."

"What? You found it?"

"Yeah, I use it to contact the people back home." I explained, entering the special code and activating it. Feldar, once again, appeared on the screen.

"Hey, Valenia." he said, "Who's that?" he asked, pointing at Leorio.

"This is Leorio. And that's Kurapika." I told him, adjusting the laptop so that Feldar could see Leorio and Kurapika. "Guys, this is Feldar."

"Hi." said Feldar, "Anyway, why'd you call, Valenia?"

"Dude, I've finished the second phase."

"Hey, congrats!" he said, "Aww, I have to go, Valenia. See ya." Feldar's face disappeared from the screen and I closed the laptop.

I sighed, not sure of what to do. I turned to Leorio. He was already asleep. And before I knew it, I'd fallen asleep on his shoulder.


Sophilia and Feldar were there, hugging me, telling me they were so proud of me. Suddenly, an invisible force jerked both of them away. I called out their names. But they didn't respond. I was left alone in the room I knew all to well. Master Xaphan emerged from the shadows, an engraver in his hands. He laughed, telling me that I shouldn't have run away. He told me that that would only make matters worse. He pinned me to a wall and shoved the engraver onto my cheek. I screamed, calling for help, begging for mercy. But it was useless. Completely useless.


I woke up with a start. The collar was shocking me again. I moved away from Leorio. Just in time before the collar emitted a strong electric current. I cupped my hand over my mouth and blinked back tears. Standing up, I ran out the room. Sinking to the ground. Unable to stop the tears. Someone exited the room. It was Leorio.

"You think I didn't feel that shock?" he asked me. I continued to cry. The pain was unbearable. Leorio sat down beside me and placed his hand on my head. "Let's see just how terrible that collar is."

"Stop, you'll get shocked!" I said, still crying.

"That's the idea." said Leorio, shutting his eyes.

I sighed. "You're an idiot, you know that?" I told him.

"So are you." he retorted, his voice shaking.

"See? You can't even take it!"

"Shut… up…" he said, annoyed. His voice was still shaking.

"Don't blame me if you faint!"


Rafie: Hah, let the love begin. -smiles-

Leorio: Can I kiss her now? -grabs Valenia-

Valenia: -blushes-

Rafie: Patience, old man.

Leorio: Stop calling me an old man!