A few seconds later, the timer alarm startled Kurapika. That monotonous, screeching sound invaded the silent atmosphere, besides the sobs. Kurapika lifted his chair and sat in front of Chrollo again. The fish still flew slowly overhead, oblivious to the scene unfolding beneath them.
Sobs were spacing and eventually Chrollo stopped crying. He turned off the alarm and covered his face again. Then he closed the book; the fishes and also the book vanished in the air. Kurapika sighed but suddenly grunted in pain at the bite in his arm. He ripped the bottom of his shirt and pulled out a strip from which he made an improvised bandage. Just stopping the bleeding would be enough for now; later he could use the chain to heal the deep wound. They kept silent for a few more minutes. Chrollo kept with his head down, his face resting on his hands; Kurapika looking at him. Lucilfer sighed and took a handkerchief. Without raising his head, he said:
"I'm sorry you had to witness something so pathetic and unpleasant."
He wiped his tears, put the handkerchief back and slowly began to rise. Kurapika pushed his chair back, and got up at the same pace as Chrollo. He had just realized that he had never been in front of the cruel murderer with his full powers. If he had to face him, he wouldn't do it sitting in a chair.
Chrollo raised his head and looked at the young man in front, staring at him with glowing red eyes. He smirked. In that second Kurapika knew that he would never forget Chrollo's expression. His Crying-red eyelids encircled icy dark eyes that gleamed with hatred. At the same time, they showed such a deep sadness that it made Kurapika hold his breath. All this framed in a face with perfect features, where the purplish color of the bruises even added a touch of drama. The contemptuous smile completed the picture. Chrollo spoke, with voice calm but somber:
"Look. I really don't know what you saw. These messages only prove that Hisoka's will is unbreakable; he's capable of anything to achieve his goal. He's very eager to fight me in the Heaven's Arena, so things aren't going to change. In two months Hisoka and I will fight to death." With a warning gesture he stopped Kurapika, who was about to protest. "I appreciate your interest in my love life," he added with sarcasm, "but you took a chance in vain. You didn't convince me and I'm not going to change my mind. I am Chrollo Lucilfer, the head of Gen'ei Ryodan, and I am not going to run away from a fight, whoever is in front of me."
Kurapika looked at Chrollo. His voice, his posture, even his gaze where different; now Lucilfer exhibited a strong image of authority. The irritating man who had entered with him had disappeared. The chief of the Spider had returned.
"So," said Kurapika; the tone of that single word expressed his defeat, "the only alternative left is for you to win and kill him."
"Of course I'll do," Chrollo said, "I have no intentions to die yet. I will kill Hisoka." He headed for the exit door. Kurapika sat, with shoulders slumped and his expression defeated. As he was leaving, Chrollo turned at the door, saying:
"One more thing; have you ever heard of the Scarlet Eyes curse?"
Kurapika looked at him puzzled, and shook his head.
"Really? You should read more," Chrollo said. Then, he looked at Kurapika's arm; he went back, muttering under his breath: "What a horrible bandage. Did you really pass the hunter exam?" He asked after grabbing Kurapika's arm; the boy looked at him with a mixture of astonishment and fear.
"It was difficult with only one hand..." Kurapika said, ashamed by seeing Chrollo's contemptuous grimace as the bloody cloth strip loosened itself.
Chrollo took Kurapika's arm and extended it, supporting it against his own body and under his arm. Kurapika didn't dare look at him, embarrassed by their closeness. Chrollo began to speak in a serious, scholarly tone while he wrapped again the wound.
"Legend has it that a long time ago, the kurtas were red-eyed demons, beautiful as angels but so cruel that they left only death and destruction in their wake. One day, tired of being chased and hunted like beasts, they decided to change their way of life, so as not to become extinct. Taking advantage of their beautiful and kind appearance, they mingled with the people and formed families. After hundreds of generations, they managed to hide their red eyes, but not all the time, as you already know. Unable to avoid detection, they fled to the top of a mountain forest, where they lived in hiding for centuries. Looks familiar, right? Did you seriously not know the history of your own clan?" Chrollo asked, pulling the cloth tight around Kurapika's arm. He smirked at the boy's confused and pained expression.
"You know? All this time I was thinking that something was wrong with your pathetic story," he continued. "All this concern for the emotional life of others, and on the other hand so much cruelty. The Neon thing… there you were inspired. Gouging her eyes out, that was mean. Then the beating, the recording..."
He knotted the bandage tightly, which made Kurapika groan in pain.
"I can understand the revenge thing," Chrollo continued, "but still, there was something that didn't quite fit. You gave me the key when you told me why you became a hunter. It was a no-brainer, sure, but it was the missing piece to solve the puzzle. Ready, now it is a bandage."
He released his arm and looked at him haughtily. Kurapika remained in silence.
"You still don't get it?" Chrollo asked upon seeing Kurapika's expression. Then he whispered into his ear, "Listen; how many things would have never happened if you hadn't become so obsessed with your useless revenge?"
Chrollo watched Kurapika, as the young man tried to remember, searching for a meaning to Chrollo's words. Suddenly the boy's eyes widened with a look full of disbelief and horror. Chrollo smiled with wicked satisfaction.
"Legend has it that a long time ago, the kurtas were red-eyed demons, beautiful as angels but so cruel that they left only death and destruction in their wake. One day, tired of being chased and hunted like beasts, they decided to change their way of life, so as not to become extinct. Taking advantage of their beautiful and kind appearance, they mingled with the people and formed families. After hundreds of generations, they managed to hide their red eyes, but not all the time, as you already know. Unable to avoid detection, they fled to the top of a mountain forest; they settled there and lived in hiding for centuries. Looks familiar, right? Did you seriously not know the history of your own clan?" Chrollo asked, pulling the cloth tight around Kurapika's arm. He smirked at the boy's confused and pained expression.
"You know what? All this time I was thinking that something was wrong with your pathetic story," Chrollo said. "Even today, all this concern for the emotional life of others, and on the other hand so much cruelty. And the Neon thing… there you were inspired. Gouging her eyes out, that was mean. Then the beating, the recording..."
He knotted the bandage tightly, which made Kurapika groan in pain.
"I can understand the revenge thing," Chrollo continued, "but still, there was something that didn't quite fit. You gave me the key when you told me why you became a hunter. It was a no-brainer, of course, but it was also the missing piece to solve the puzzle. Ready, now it is a bandage." He released his arm and looked at him haughtily. Kurapika remained in silence.
"You still don't get it?" Chrollo asked upon seeing Kurapika's expression. Then he whispered into his ear, "Just think; how many things would have never happened if you hadn't become so obsessed with your useless revenge?"
Chrollo watched Kurapika's changing expression, as the young man tried to remember, searching for a meaning to Chrollo's words. Suddenly the boy's eyes widened with a look full of disbelief and horror. Chrollo smiled with wicked satisfaction.
"No, it can't be. I didn't mean to ..." Kurapika stammered.
"You do realize it, don't you? That dream you had; the premonition of the bloodbath and the thousands of innocents dead. If all that happens it will be the result of what you started yourself."
Chrollo knew he had hit the mark by seeing Kurapika's eyes filled with tears. He smiled with extreme satisfaction and started walking towards the door. Right before leaving, he glanced at Kurapika over his shoulder and said:
"I'll see you in hell, Kurta."