Despite the fact that the Third Phase was at hand, I don't feel very light of heart. I can't shake the dream I had this morning. I wrapped my arms around myself, standing silently in the middle of the throng of other applicants.
"Ahem."
Our attention was drawn to the Chairman's Secretary, Beans. Looking chipper as ever, he stood in front of the airship with a smile, addressing the lot of us.
"Everyone, the exam's Third Phase will begin here, at the top of Trick Tower."
"Trick Tower?"
A gut feeling told me we wouldn't be dealing some magician's cute bag of tricks for little kids to enjoy.
"To past this phase, you must reach the tower's base alive. The time limit is seventy-two hours," he explained. "With that, we will now begin the Third Phase. I will pray for your success."
What a nice lima bean.
Airship departing, Beans spoke once again over the intercom.
"Best of luck to everyone!"
With that, we were left alone.
'Well, no sense in just standing around,' I thought, observing my surroundings. Only problem – there wasn't much to look at. Going to the edge of the tower, I could hypothesize that it was an enormous spire, erected atop a plateau with no way down, at least to the naked eye.
'Well then, I guess it's finally time for me to use what abilities I do have if I plan to make it down in only seventy-two hours…' I thought with a heavy sigh, bowing my head and attempting to focus my energy.
A scream suddenly sounded and was cut off just as abruptly, and I jerked my head up just in time to see hideous, bird-like creatures flying overhead, blood leaking from one's jaw. I grimaced and turned away, and stood face-to-face with Hisoka.
I greeted him with the same grimace instead of a smile, sighing heavily once more.
"Sleep well, little fruit?" Hisoka inquired.
I shook my head, the corners of my mouth still pulled downwards.
Unexpectedly he reached out his hand, the pad of his thumb gently tracing the dark circles under my eye. "Your eyes are red," he stated, his other fingers brushing softly against my cheek. Strangely, the gesture made me feel slightly better, and I allowed the hint of a smile to play on my lips.
"Even away from you I didn't get much sleep. Quite ironic, don't you think?" I asked, reaching up and gently pulling his hand away.
Eyes narrowed, he smiled at me, replying, "Quite."
Turning to look at the other applicants who wandered around the top of the tower, I commented, "Now we just need to get past this phase, and just maybe I'll get another chance to rest. Hopefully this one won't be as disturbed. So, what are your ideas on getting down?"
I looked over at Hisoka, who was observing the others just as I was. "There are trap doors scattered all around the top of the tower. So the solution seems simple enough – find a panel."
I didn't feel very comfortable falling through some trap door into God-knows-where, but there seemed to be no other option. Forcing a smile, I looked up at the magician. "Well then, if we survive, I suppose I'll see you at the bottom of the tower."
'It should be easy enough to find a trap door – merely using Gyo in my eyes; I should be able to…'
I took a single step forward and gave a startled cry as the floor beneath me opened up, and I was engulfed in darkness.
"J-Jōki…" I called my cloud out as I snapped off the cork of the glass vial, and it swiftly materialized besides me. I gave another grunt of pain as the slightest bit of pressure was applied on my right ankle, and with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I knew that it was sprained. My cloud drifted down low enough to where I could get on, and I sat down in the soft folds with a grateful sigh. Pulling the hem of my skirt up, I could see that my ankle was an angry red, and was already beginning to swell.
'Well – it looks like I'm going to have a much harder time getting to the bottom then I originally thought. I should have braced myself going down… I'm such a fool,' I thought, letting out a sigh as I lay back. What were a few minutes for my pity party? With the way things were going – most likely I wouldn't have the best chance at making it. And just when I felt so sure of myself to; there was no way Jōki would be able to last long enough to get me through to the bottom, even with my gourd completely filled.
The sudden sound of rushing wind through the small room I had fallen into startled me enough to sit up and I watched almost in disbelief as Hisoka dropped in and laded gracefully on his feet besides me.
He took a single look at me before his mouth curved into a smile, and he crossed his arms over his chest as I quickly tugged down the hem of my skirt.
"I'm assuming a change of plans? Rest now, and complete this phase later?"
I rolled my eyes at his snide comment, giving a gentle tug on Jōki to direct it to the white pedestal against the wall in the small room we were in, where two white armbands sat side by side. "I thought it would be a better idea to rest while I can now, or attempt to at least conserve what energy I do have. I'm merely thinking ahead," I lied, picking up one of the arm bands and examining it carefully. Hisoka stepped up and picked up the other one, reading the small sigh that was plastered to the wall above the pedestal.
"The two of you must treat your lives as one, carrying each other's weight to reach the goal..."
Already I saw two major things wrong with this situation.
First off, I wouldn't trust Hisoka with my life if – well, if my life depended on it. I had as much faith in him and I had in a mustard seed. And secondly, there was no way I'd be able to carry anyone's weight with the shape I was in, and I damn sure wouldn't want Hisoka carrying me.
"Well, I don't think they mean for us to literally carry each other – it's fine if we go on like this. See, the door is already open," I laughed nervously, pointing to a door panel that had slid open as soon as we took the arm bands. I secured the arm band on my wrist, noting that it was already counting down from the seventy-two hours we had to reach the bottom of the tower.
Since we were now allowed through, I guided Jōki with Hisoka following silently by my side.
The tests and trails that lay ahead of us were surprisingly not as complicated as I had previously anticipated. Although, that might only be because Hisoka was beside me through it all; he was quite capable of doing things on his own. Even when I offered my help he refused, merely smiling and telling me that for this part of the Phase, he was "carrying my weight". Somehow, I felt letting him take care of everything now would come to bite me in the ass later.
"Jōki…come on, just a bit longer," I whispered feverishly, emptying the last few drops of water from my gourd onto the cloud. We had 66 hours left to complete the phase, and had no idea how long it would take for us to reach the bottom. Jōki was already giving out – not that I was surprised. I had never pushed Jōki this long before.
'So this means I only have one choice ahead of me... I'll have to walk.'
The idea was hardly a pleasant one. My sprained ankle still throbbed painfully, and I was beginning to sweat and feel nausea with the onset of a fever following my injury. We were lagging behind Hisoka now, and the magician stopped and turned back to look at me.
"Tired already little fruit?" he jeered, leaning against the wall of the seemingly endless corridor we were in.
"N-No. I just figured I'd give Jōki a rest – you can go on without me, I'll catch up in a sec," I replied, forcing a smile. He obviously didn't believe me; I could feel his aura stretching out towards me, seeking, and I reflected it back forcefully with my own.
Violet hues narrowed, I stared him down, until he finally gave a shrug and turned his back, that infuriating smile still on his face.
I watched him continue walking away before I let Jōki set me down, leaning against the wall for support. "Sorry for everything Jōki. You deserve a good rest, and don't worry; I'll get you something to drink once we're out of here."
With Jōki sealed away, and still the rest of the phase and Hisoka ahead of me, I began to limp my way after the magician, trying to make it look as normal as seemingly possible. But despite my efforts, I was still quite behind, and I could tell Hisoka was irritated about it.
He whirled on me, amber eyes narrowing in right away at my feet. Stalking over like a beast hunting its prey until I was cowering against the wall, his ferocious aura engulfed me. He towered over me like a giant, and I shrank as much as I could against the wall as he came to stand merely a hairs-breath away. He slowly sank down, for a minute our gazes locking, before he fully kneeled down and threw up my skirt.
"H-Hey, pervert!" I yelled as he yanked up my uncovered right leg, letting out a startled screech of pain as his hand encased my swollen ankle. His gaze flickered up to meet my own momentarily, for once his very punch-able face devoid of any mirth. He looked back to my ankle, now holding my leg gingerly as his fingers traced the hot skin. His cool hands almost felt good on my ankle, as long as he put no pressure on it, and an embarrassing groan escaped past my lips.
I could feel his smile now as he glanced up at me, and if looks alone could kill, he would certainly have been nothing but a smoldering pile of ashes right now.
"My, my little fruit – it seems as though I will literally have to carry your weight now."
I felt my blood begin to boil as he set down my foot and turned around, bracing his back for me to get on. "N-No way am I letting you carry me! I-I-I can walk just fine on my own!" I yelled, trying to scoot my way past him.
His aura came surging at me violently, and I barely had enough time to use Ken to block his attack. That by itself sucked energy from me, and I felt more heavy-headed then before. I tried to move away, clumsily stumbling forward as I attempted to move past Hisoka again. His hand shot out and grabbed me, pulling me towards him until I was draped against his back.
"If you don't want to fall, you should cling to me tightly," he said, his voice thick with that damn smirk I knew he wore as he hoisted me up. I gave a grumbling sigh of defeat and wrapped my arms around his neck. Even holding on to him, I tried not to press into him too much, not caring for such a close proximity between us. He stood up, his hands encasing my thighs as they wrapped around his torso, and I refused to believe it was anything other than my fever making my face so hot. He carried me with ease, and I was at least grateful that for now there seemed to be no traps or triggers we had to deal with.
"It's surprising that you even made it to the exam with how weak you are," Hisoka commented lightly, and I scowled, making an ugly face at him behind his back.
We were walking down a long corridor full of fake doors, and had been attempting to find the right one for the pass few minutes. Using Gyo in my eyes, I was able to pinpoint Hisoka to where we needed to go, past the doors that merely held brick walls and traps behind them.
"Strength isn't everything you know – I'm here at the Hunter Exam to get stronger in the first place. I have a whole other range of talents that allowed me to make it this far," I replied bitterly, hardly needing anyone to reitify how weak I already knew I was.
"Hmm? Yet isn't it those who are strong who are the ones that pass the exam? If strength wasn't everything, you'd see a lot more applicants each year."
I rolled my eyes and gave a shake of my head, my legs tightening around his torso as he shifted his hold on me. "I really think that only applies to certain people. You're strong, so you've made it this far. Taking Leorio for example on the other hand, he doesn't seem to be too skilled, yet he's also made it this far. Even if it was with the help of his friends, it doesn't erase the fact that he's made it. And I suppose – the same goes for me. You have contributed to helping me get this far…" I muttered, my cheeks turning the slightest shade of pink.
He turned his head slightly to the right to look back at me his eyes narrowed and the corner of his mouth curved into a smirk. "There's no need to thank me, little fruit. For all the help I've given you, I'll merely expect payment at a later date," he cooed, taking pleasure in the fact that he could feel the shivers that ran down her spine at his words.
We had been alone together far too long for my taste, and I became even more focused on finding the right door.
"Hm? Hisoka – there, that one. The door on the left," I directed him, pointing to it as we approached. The panel slowly began to open once we were in front of it, and Hisoka stepped into the dark room. I turned slightly, watching as the door began to fall shut behind us, and in the dying light of the corridor, saw a lone man that sat in the middle of the room. My arms tightened around Hisoka briefly, and I felt the slightest squeeze on my thigh. Strangely, the gesture reassured me, although in any other circumstances I would have felt utterly repulsed.
I gave a startled gasp as burst of eerie green flames flared to life from candles that were placed on a dual winding staircase around the room, and illuminated the man who awaited us. The flames brought to life horrifying shadows that danced along the walls, reminding me all too well of the dream I had this morning. I shut my eyes tightly and buried my face against Hisoka's neck, my grip on him tightening all the more as screams filled my head and bile rose in my throat.
"Please…I don't want to be here."
Hisoka was surprised by Priya's reaction; the way she buried her face against his neck, her hot breath against his skin – it was almost enough to distract him from the opponent in front of him. From watching her since the First Phase, he inadvertently learned that she did not hold the kind of fear that others did. She was greatly unsettled and distressed by things, but not once had he sensed any fear radiating from her aura. It was almost peculiar, and it excited him to find out what she did fear, and to see how she would react.
"Please…I don't want to be here."
The words were spoken against his skin, and he held back a groan as he felt her body pressed deeper into his, clinging to him as tightly as she possibly could. He felt the way her small hands clenched at his shirt, her small nails digging into his skin. Her aura, which had always felt so light and warm – was now almost black, and was powerful enough that her fear was almost tangible. All these sensations nearly sent Hisoka over the edge – but something irked him. Despite something in the room having been the cause of such a powerful reaction from her, he could not tell exactly what it was. And any chance he had to ponder what it could be was squashed – with the man who finally spoke out.
"I've been waiting for you…Hisoka."
What a nuisance.
"And it seems you've brought a guest."
The magician examined the familiar man with a bored expression that was mildly laced with irritation.
"I'm not an examiner this year. I'm here for revenge," the man named Togari explained, grinning wolfishly as he stood up. "Since last year's exam, all I've focused on was killing you," he sneered, pulling out a wickedly curved blade. "Today, I'll get payback for my scars!"
Hisoka chuckled quietly, amused by the situation. "Hmph. Those scars merely show that you were an incompetent examiner. You're blaming me for your own inadequacies," he stated as the man whipped out another blade.
While he was focused on the opponent in front of him, most of his focus was on the small girl clinging to his back who was still at an emotional high. Going against an opponent had never been a problem for him, but it might prove a challenge with her in the way.
"Keep yapping!" the ex-examiner cackled, spinning the blades. "Prepare to die!"
"Dual wielding?" Hisoka inquired, a single brow arched.
For a single moment, and a rare one it was, Hisoka was actually surprised as the man tossed the two blades in the air, and from behind his back pulled two more. The slight change that was reflected in his aura was enough to rouse Priya, and his attention focused fully back on her as she slowly raised her head from his shoulder.
"Infinite quad wielding! Take this…!"
"Hold on," Hisoka murmured as the spinning blades came flying towards them. Priya made a noise of understanding, her aura, having cleared at least a bit, wrapping itself around Hisoka so that they were held together without him having to hold on to her. She clung tightly to him, eyes shut once again as Hisoka expertly dodged between the blades.
Togari ran at him, attacking him head on as Hisoka moved back, dodging the sharp blades he swung while the other two flew at them from behind. Hisoka grabbed hold of Priya's arm, pulling her hard enough that her grip on him came loose and flipped her over his head, pulling her against his chest as he flipped back to avoid another oncoming attack from Togari. The blades flying at him from behind sliced through his left side and opposite shoulder as he flipped, holding Priya tightly to him as the blades flew back to Togari. The man threw up the pair of blades he held and caught the ones that came spinning wickedly from above.
"Hisoka – you're hurt."
The magician glanced down at the fiery-haired girl as he set her on her feet, the younger clinging to him tightly as she stared wide-eyed at the blood that seeped from the cut in his side, staining her hands as red as her hair.
Hisoka's lips often curved up in some sort of smirk, but the nature of the one he showed her now was different, rare. His aura was strangely calm, and seemed to calm her as well, although it was obvious by her expression that she was still anxious and uncertain with the way things were now.
"It's not over yet!" Togari yelled out, once again throwing his blades. Grabbing hold of Priya once again, he treated the girl like an extension of his own body; the two deftly eluding the deadly blades with ease while Togari madly raved on.
"Up, down, left, right. Front and back… You have nowhere to run!" He yelled, continuously catching and throwing the spinning blades. "You'll be cut from every angle, by my endless stream of blades. Dodging my infinite attack waves is impossible!"
A flying blade ripped through Priya's cloak, and Hisoka was able to quickly spin her out of the way so that no physical damage came to her. The other blade nicked his cheek in the process, a fine line of blood trailing down his cheek.
"H-Hisoka, if you keep protecting me you'll get hurt!" Priya yelled, fevered violet eyes wide with worry as they dodged another flying set of blades. Hisoka looked down at the girl's flushed features, noting that she looked a bit warm.
Togari laughed manically, never ceasing in his assault and rushing at the two again. "I'll have you writhe in pain…until you die, Hisoka!" This time, his attack was aimed at Priya, and Hisoka grew tired of this little game.
"Hisoka!"
Togari jumped back, eyes bulging, and his mouth open with shock. Sweat dripped down his face as he stared disbelieving at the twin blades Hisoka held in his hands, the magician having stepped out in front of the girl and catching the blades before they could slice through their target.
"It would indeed be difficult to dodge your attacks," Hisoka spoke, his narrowed dark eyes burning with cold fire.
Bringing the sword to his lips, his tongue skimmed the blade, his aura radiating blood-lust and danger. "Thus, I should simply stop the blades," he stated, leaving Priya to wait as he strode forward, brandishing the man's weapons by his sides. Struck with terror, Togari could do nothing as Hisoka came nearer. The magician stopped a few inches in front of him, expertly spinning the blades just as Togari had shown off in the beginning.
"Oh… It was easier than anticipated." The room seemed to grow colder as he spoke, despite the many candles that still burned hot with the green flame. The blood-lust that Hisoka's aura carried was physically palatable by now, and he could feel Priya deploying her own Nen to protect herself from it, although it was aimed directly at Togari.
A narrow-eyed smile nearly split the magician's face as he gripped the blades tighter, now towering over the examiner.
"I appreciate your futile efforts."
A single bead of sweat dripped down the man's face as the realization that there was no escape dawned on him, and he turned his face upwards, screaming out to the heavens.
"Damn it!"
He was decapitated in a single swipe, and the flames blown out, leaving them in darkness.
The panel slid open, and we were allowed through.
A ubiquitous voice spoke out as we entered the large, empty chamber.
"Hisoka, applicant 44, is the first to pass the Third Phase. Total time, six hours and seventeen minutes. Priya, applicant 406, is the second to pass the Third Phase. Total time, six hours and seventeen minutes."
"Hisoka – y-you should really treat your wounds now. You're still bleeding," I stammered as he carried me over to the wall and gently set me down on my feet. I was able to put most of my weight on my left side, avoiding the stinging pain that any pressure on my right ankle induced. Hisoka smiled down at me, pointing to my own injury.
"You should be worried about yourself little fruit. A few cuts on myself are hardly something to worry about. You on the other hand –…" He looked down at me, raising his hand to touch my cheek. "You're running a fever. How do you expect to finish the exam in such a state?"
I was sure the heat in my cheeks was more than just the fever running. But either way, I knew he was right. I was able to depend on him during this phase, but it didn't mean I could through the rest of the exam. My ankle sprained and running a fever, there was a good chance I would be useless in the next phase.
Hisoka leaned over to just about my level and all but leered at me, in that way he usually did that was all-too unnerving. I backed up against the wall, nervous as I realized that we were here alone, having completed the phase and now only waiting for the seventy-two hours to come to an end. "Perhaps I should be the one to treat you while we wait? Or better yet – since we're alone, perhaps you'd like to repay me for all my help~?"
Hisoka watched me with a wolfish grin as the familiar pink hue that kept staining my pale cheeks once again flared, and I intertwined my fingers to stop my hands from trembling as I took a deep breath. "I-I think instead I should take a nap. That's what would really make me feel better," I stuttered, slinking away from him as he continued to watch me with those dark amber eyes. He smiled and shrugged lightly, chuckling to himself as he sat down against the wall. I decided it was best to move well away from him, and let out a sigh as I slowly slid down the wall to sit down myself.
I lifted the hem of my skirt to look at my swollen ankle, my fingers gently running over the flared skin. 'Well, at least the swelling has gone down, if only a bit,' I thought as I took off my bag and sat it by my side, removing my cloak also. I stared at the tear in it, shivering as I remembered the spinning blades, and what had happened after the flames had gone out.