A/N: Greetings everyone! First and foremost, I'd like to, once again, apologize for the extensive delay. Since my last update I've dealt with a lot of instances that set my writing time back from my PC going down for nearly two weeks, to stress from the holidays, and unfortunately, getting sick. Thankfully, it wasn't Covid again but what what I had still tossed me for a loop. At least I am better now, and managed to finish this chapter in time for Christmas! I do hope that everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas to all of you and Happy New Year!

May this installment bring about joy and entertainment after the long wait. :3

And as the last several chapters, this one is also unbeta'd. Hopefully in the future, once SweetsDreamer has time amid juggling work and school, she may get back into proofing these.

Summary: As tensions aboard the Black Whale, several different people find themselves facing extreme challenges and dangerous obstacles. Killua manages to find more than he bargained for, while Chrollo, Kurapika, Amar and Bill deal with an unstable visitor. Prince Benjamin and Princess Camilla clash.

"How should we explain this to Prince Tserriednich? You know he is a rather skeptical person to say the least." Theta raised an eyebrow, her voice terse as she knew that trying to illustrate the situation to the fifth prince of Kakin wouldn't be so easy. Ever since they heard the emergency announcement, everyone had been on edge, including them. She knew the mention of Nen accompanied by mysterious, invisible creatures spawned by it would spark Tserriednich's unbridled curiosity.

Though it appeared her companion and fellow bodyguard didn't grasp that concept. He looked at her questioningly, unsure of exactly how she wanted to deal with their continuously growing problem. Hopefully, they could handle it without placing themselves into a rather unsavory outcome. "How about this?" Salkov began, one hand raised while pointing upward. "Entities called cryptids are wandering about the ship. Mundane people cannot see them, so it's advised that you stay in your room."

Almost immediately, Theta looked aghast, the very idea causing her eyes to widen. The blonde-headed woman sighed in exasperation. "Absolutely not!" She hissed and planted both hands on her hips. "Mundane is the worst thing you can say. Can't see insinuates there is something he is unable to do. Stay in your room is basically telling him to get out, and speaking of Cryptids would utterly pique his curiosity."

Using the right words during conversations with Tserriednich was immensely difficult because the man always tended to read into everything. Basic discussions weren't exempt from his constant analysis.

Salkov frowned, a look of annoyance on his burly features. "I can't handle this. You deal with it." He grumped and jutted his chin slightly forward. "It seems as if you understand him better anyway," Salkov added while steadily eyeing Theta.

"The problem is," she murmured, posture rigid, "trying to explain it to the prince might prompt him to ask about Nen. If we tell him the truth, he will want to learn."

Hearing the statement caused Salkov to fall silent, and they quickly exchanged glances. Both of them were aware of how Prince Tserriednich was, even if she knew him slightly better, so there was very little wriggle room when handling him. However, Theta wasn't sure how she had managed to put up with the prince all this time.

Occasionally, Theta questioned herself why she had even taken the job.

"We are the only two out of the prince's private guards who can use Nen. Just tell him that it's something certain people are born with."

Salkov clamped his jaw closed seconds later when Theta's index finger was thrust up beneath his nose. The large man swallowed thickly.

"I envy you," Theta sighed, her patience caught in the middle of remaining steady and slowly waning. There were points when she wondered how Salkov had made it as far as he did. Still, he was a valuable asset and helpful when needed.

"Hey! I can definitely tell that you're mocking me."

Theta expelled another sigh, though it was heavier and more laden than the last. It really was hard to ignore Salkov's nativity. "Listen. Unfortunately, every guard within the royal family heard the emergency announcement about parasitic Nen Beasts, even the princes, and princesses. Because of that, we can't avoid mentioning it. Doing otherwise would be problematic."

Again, Salkov frowned. He was harrowed by the constant lack of a viable solution. No matter what, they ended up right back in the same position — at square one where they started. It looked more and more like he and Theta were only spinning their preverbal wheels and getting nowhere.

"So, then we can't avoid the possibility of the prince wanting to acquire Nen?" He questioned, though he was pretty sure about the answer. It was practically written all over Theta's face.

"No!" She hissed and narrowed her eyes at him. "What gave you the impression that we could?" If she could have boxed his ears right then, she would have.

Maybe after the Succession War concluded, she would take a long-ass vacation. Gods above, she needed it. Theta breathed out slowly.

It took a moment for what had been said to fully process, but Salkov grunted afterward. He was beginning to like their situation less and less. "Seriously, why are you so mad?" Salkov stated once he found the balls to confront her. Which he regretted instantly.

"Because!" Theta blurted out. It was evident she was beyond exasperated at that point. "I just want to move on and discuss what happens next, but you keep making stupid remarks!" Fuck, the man was genuinely hard-headed.

For several long moments, they just stood there watching each other, both of them entirely unsure how to proceed any further. It was evident from their discussion, and what they knew of Tserriednich, it had created a conundrum, one that wasn't so easily solved.

Theta knew where it ultimately led her, and it was no less frightening.

"You should be the one to teach him Nen in that case," Salkov responded after a brief interlude, the weight of his words drawing her back to reality. "Doing so would let you act at your discretion." The very idea or just the thought alone unnerved her. "You're worried about the potential for him to become evil, right?" Salkov continued. "That if Prince Tserriednich acquires Nen, it could mean trouble." There was another pause as he weighed Theta's reaction, but she continued with her stony expression. "With that in mind, if it's unavoidable as you say, then make him learn the complete opposite type, or master a useless ability. Subtly pare down his capacity for Nen if there is no other option."

An infinite number of thoughts flooded into Theta's mind; so many possibilities, all with unpredictable outcomes. Yet, no matter which path she considered taking, each one of them ended the same. Avoiding the subject of Nen with Tserriednich wasn't an option, but not teaching the man such a thing didn't bode well, either.

It appeared that, no matter how she decided to approach the problem, the conclusion remained the same.

Regardless, there seemed to be no other alternative. Theta's eyes met Salkov's. "Perhaps." She uttered after several long moments. "Though, I am still equivocal when it comes to my confidence in properly handling the prince's training. Ensuring that he is ultimately guided to a point where he doesn't become inherently dangerous; in a more extreme sense, is something that I cannot readily guarantee." Theta pursed her lips, short, blonde hair swaying about her flawless visage.

"Well," Salkov began, his jaw set firm as he analyzed her, "he is more than likely going to ask if any of us can use Nen. Just raise your hand at that time and I am sure it will all work out." Right then, a voice came over his earpiece announcing for every guard to rendezvous at the entrance of area four, and Salkov sighed. "Perhaps my examples are extreme, but you can pull it off. Make his training inefficient to buy time. I know you don't feel that it's the best way, but it's really the only option we have. You should teach him, not someone else. Lead him in a better direction. That said, I truly believe you're the only one who can do this."

Right then, Theta turned, her eyes averted and cast towards the floor. So much was getting thrust onto her shoulders, but it was a burden that no one else would be able to carry. While she wanted to do what she knew would be right, at the same time, facing the dilemma standing before them was beyond daunting. It left Theta conflicted.

To progress forward that meant taking the proper steps. One wrong move or slip up, and everything would come undone. Between the Succession War, the rivalry with the other princes and princesses, along with the appearance of parasite Nen Beasts, the path couldn't have been any more dangerous.

Theta hoped that embarking on such an audacious task wouldn't end in her demise.

Sadly, there was no other direction for them to turn.

"That's not fair…" Theta stated brusquely, a sour expression masking her features again. It was becoming awfully tiresome dealing with such an entangled mess.

Shock briefly flickered in Salkov's expression. "I mean, are you seriously convinced that I could do it?" He questioned while side-eyeing his companion. None of his abilities or skills could even amount to what Theta possessed when it came down to it. If he ended up as the one trying to stop or even stall Tserriednich, Salkov knew verbatim that it wouldn't go well.

"I really do envy you," Theta repeated, and he raised an eyebrow.

She really did have a sharp tongue. "Come on! You mean it this time."

"Shut up!"

"Christ Theta…"

The sound of crackling over Salkov's headset brought a cessation to their banter, and Theta gazed toward the floor, her mind racing once again. What dilemma they faced was now upon them, and there was absolutely no way to avoid it. She knew that everything Salkov had said was right; facing their problem head-on was the only way.

If another prince happened to threaten, or attack them while using Nen, the potential for the prince's own Nen to awaken was staggering. Just thinking about that very aspect sent a chill racing down along her spine.

Her frown deepened, and the creases of Theta's face slowly became visible as reality sunk in. She truly was the only one who had even a snowball's chance of putting a stop to it.

"Theta…" A voice soon whispered, only for her to realize it was Salkov. However, this time, it was filled with urgency, and Theta looked up, the image before them quickly snapping the woman back to her senses. "Don't look at it," Salkov said again, tone low, and Theta began to wonder if she knew exactly what fear looked like.

Never before had she seen something so hideous, disgusting, monstrous.

Grotesque…

Was it possible such manifestations were also invoked by the other princes and princesses?

Every muscle within Theta became locked, frozen, paralytic, her chest tight and heart beating rapidly. At that moment, the world spun as she frantically tried to process what the actual fuck it was that she even saw; the very image was something straight of a fantasy horror story, but no less tangible.

Before her, only a short distance away, was a large creature that embodied a human head, the face of a woman twisted by fear, and was framed by tangled, mossy colored hair which ran the length of its excessively long neck. The creature's body was shaped oddly like a horse but accentuated by more humanistic, womanly features; forearms and clawed hands, high heels on its back feet, and even breasts with spikes for nipples.

Yet, the most notable feature, besides that it walked on fours, was its sickly-appearing, plum skin. Looking at the creature was hard, even revolting, making Theta's stomach churn violently. How something that appalling could exist left her shaken.

Little was known about the Nen Beasts, which also bode true for the one walking beside Prince Tserriednich. The creature's menacing gait only added to the apprehension that she felt. Theta swallowed hard, especially when the monster extended its neck twice the length so that its sinister face was but mere centimeters from her face. For several long, tense moments, it just stared at her wide-eyed, saliva dripping odiously from its slightly parted lips. Then, without warning, its face split in two, revealing long, serrated fangs inside of a gruesome mouth.

What made it even more diabolical was that, in the back of its throat, sat a secondary head, which had instantly spat out a fiendish-like, forked tongue with eyeballs at the end of each appendage.

The creature was, in its entirety, an abomination.

A low, resonant hiss echoed from its parted jaws as the thing slowly came just close enough to where Theta was now able to smell its dank, noxious breath. The odor made her cringe, and she recoiled, though marginally. Staring down its horrible gullet caused her to swallow thickly again, and every thought evaporated from her mind as Theta prayed that her life wasn't about to end right then and there. Its unholy presence had even ultimately drawn their attention away from realizing that Tserriednich had approached them. The rest of the guards were at his back.

"Well, hello, my secret weapons." He jovially addressed the group, a mischievous smile gracing his lips. "I assume that all of you heard the emergency announcement, right?" For a second, the tall, imitating man let his eyes sweep over everyone present, though his devious gaze lingered for a few seconds on Theta before continuing. "Apparently, no one has ever heard of a Nen Beast. Do you guys know anything?"

There was a long, drawn-out silence as the guards exchanged glances with each other, none of them sure of what exactly was going on. Theta's focus remained forward, and the twisted beast widened its jaws further before hissing more dangerously as if mimicking its master's emotions. It made her resolve whittle away even further. How she managed to stand her ground as long as she had was beyond mystifying.

"I was naïve." Theta thought to herself as she practically stared death in the face. There was no denying that Tserriednich was a monster. Even the aura that swirled around him was dark and ominous. "This is a man who should never acquire Nen. Yet, I have to do this. No one else can." And before she knew it, almost as if an unforeseen force had taken control of her body, she raised her hand, drawing the prince's attention to her. "I do." She announced automatically, voice unrestrained. "It pertains to a special type of ability," Theta added, and she instantly felt the bile rise up her throat.

Tserriednich's smile broadened at her confession, and it caused the aversion she felt to become more prominent. "That's my girl." He cooed, almost child-like as if he was praising her. Theta's stomach twisted. "Are you able to use this power by chance?" He questioned with enthusiasm. Just the sound of his voice alone made her uneasy.

"Yes." Theta responded again before she could stop herself, and for the first time in her life, she felt trapped, like prey that was about to be devoured by a predator. "I can."

The banquet hall continued filling with people as guests dressed in exceptionally fashionable evening wear poured in. Some wore lavish ball-gowns in various decorative colors and intricate designs, while others were decked in crisp, dark imperial suits adorned by fancy ties and elegant flowers. A hum of conversation hung in the air while many patrons socialized over glasses of wine.

It was one of the more peaceful times where civility remained, and fighting wasn't condoned. The prospect of the Succession War was left behind - albeit temporary - in favor of mingling quietly, though it was also a point to weigh the status of others.

King Nasubi knew this. The upcoming battle was partly his plan, after all. Not once had he even considered dissolving the tradition, although it was barbaric and cruel. But he was an uncouth, greedy man that cared little for the vitality of those around him.

Such was his perception as Nasubi surveyed the room laid out before him. So many people were gathered in one place, all on the same exact journey. Yet, by his standards, he didn't care whether they lived or died. All that mattered was receiving their accolades. The fact that he would be one to go down in history as the king to single-handedly take the Kakin Empire into a new age was enough for him. All the notoriety and fame would earn his place among the greatest regardless of any dishonor that he may incur.

His ultimate goal was to reach the top and practically ascend toward becoming a God.

A wicked smile crossed the pudgy man's lips, and Nasubi looked up from the glass in his hand to see a thin woman approaching him with long, blonde hair wearing an elaborate, sky blue dress adorned by expensive jewelry. She had piercing, pale azure eyes that instantly met his own the very moment she spotted him, and right away, her expression changed to one of pure innocence. Though, it was merely a façade to mask the beast that resided just beneath.

"Camilla," Nasubi addressed her as she came to stand before him.

"Father." She began, the smile on her painted lips broadening. "I would like to clarify something."

"Oh?"

"The word survival, " Camilla resumed, her arms positioned loosely over her midsection, "can be defined in many different ways. Because of that, it makes the rules for dropping out ambiguous. So, I want any withdrawals from the battle that are not a result of biological death to be unacceptable."

Almost instantly, the king laughed, his voice loud and filled with amusement. "Third Prince Zhang Lei also came to inquire about the rules, but in a different way. I'll give you the same answer that I gave him." For a second, Nasubi paused and leaned back against his ornate chair before raising a hand. "The sole survivor of the battle is the heir to the throne. How you interpret that is also part of the contest."

He reclined further, but this time, slightly more angled as he watched the woman - his daughter - with boundless intrigue. Camilla was notorious for her selfishness and arrogant personality, something that he admired but also found grating. So naturally, Camilla was ambitious. It was a quality that he liked about her. Still, the pup didn't know her place and often needed to be reminded.

Nasubi sighed, but it quickly dissipated when a prominent figure suddenly appeared at her side. "A trifling worry, Camilla. If you believe that you will be queen… there is no need to bother with how others define things."

The voice slightly jarred Camilla from her determined state, and she glanced over to see a very tall man practically towering over her. Instantly, her expression soured. "Not for myself!" She barked. "What I want is for everyone in the entire world to do as I say. First, though, all the other princes and princesses need to die, or ideally, volunteer to die." Camilla's eyes darkened, and the luster which shone within pale blues turned a stormy grey before opening up to a more sinister appeal. "Their only thought should be since Camilla is going to be queen, I should kill myself. " She added, the tenor of her words a reflection of someone who was maniacal and nefarious.

How anyone - including her own siblings - had such audacity to challenge her authority was blasphemous! She had long since vowed to achieve her desires, no matter the cost, and wasn't about to back down for anyone.

Not now. Not ever.

"What conceit!" The man yelled, his face soon contorting with indignation. "Giving you the throne would be akin to hiring a rabid dog as a babysitter!"

It seemed that her older brother insisted on continuing his challenge. "Are you stupid? I am no babysitter. Get the fuck out of my way!"

Without wasting another moment dealing with the growing nonsense of her sibling's drama, Camilla swiftly turned on her heel before proceeding to roughly - and mercilessly - shove her way past the older man. She cared not how the act looked to either of them. The bloody hubris that he showed her was unforgivable. Damn bastard! Camilla's lips twisted into a scowl.

"Camilla!" Nasubi shouted as she began to walk away, his patience for her insolence beginning to wane. "Show respect to your older brother."

Hearing her father's words stopped Camilla in her haste, and she turned just long enough to look back at him positioned on his makeshift, gilded throne. "Unbelievable! There is definitely something wrong with this world and everyone in it! So, I will have to be the one to change that!" After the final word left her lips, Camilla resumed her departure. Sooner or later, she would show them. She would show them all!

"Just wanting something doesn't make it come true, and that is what makes it ultimately unfair."

There was no further need to expect anything less.

As Camilla disappeared into the milling crowd, the enormous man returned to focus on Nasubi again. "Father," he began, jaw squared as he ground his teeth, "that, right there, is the disgraceful reality of an unqualified person who doesn't know their place! As her eldest brother, I am ashamed! Because of this, it will be me who will personally truncate the diseased branches!" It was in that moment, the first prince turned dark, volatile, the enmity within him spreading out like vicious, gnarled fingers. "I swear right here and now to protect the great tree of Kakin!"

Immediately, everyone in the banquet hall ceased movement and turned toward the sound of their commotion, and King Nasubi smiled placidly. It was situations like now that gave him faith.

"I expect great things from you." He said with a mild voice, the events from earlier now mitigated by his eldest son's proclamation. Benjamin did indeed show promise. And likely the most out of all of his children.

Despite the praise he received from the king, Benjamin's mood only exacerbated further, the acid on his tongue making him even more bitter. Dealing with Camilla and her impudence was enough to spark his ire. Patience was something that he lacked, and with good reason. "I'll kill them." The prince thought inwardly, violence and bloodlust raging inside of him. "I'll kill them all! And once we disembark, the real war can finally begin!"

Seconds later, and without any care, Benjamin tore the clothes he wore away from his body to reveal his bare skin and muscular chest. Then, he unceremoniously cast the ripped pieces aside before storming out of the banquet hall towards his own personal quarters, not concerned about the military personnel that had to duck out of his path.

He only had one thought on his mind, and that was his objective to win the Succession War. Nothing else mattered.

Shortly before reaching the royal family's private sector, two men wearing military uniforms fell into step beside him. "Tell Captain Balsamilco to bring Forth Prince Tserriednich to me! I don't care how, but I want him alive since I will kill him myself." He paused as both guards gazed at each other before one of them reached for the headset in his right ear. "Make sure to tell him that!" Benjamin ordered, and both men scrambled again to ensure that his message was relayed.

In the meantime, he would wait and plot on exactly how to handle the slowly unfurling situation as the ship continued making its way toward the Dark Continent.

Not only was there a matter of dealing with his more immediate siblings - Camilla and Tserriednich being the two most significant focal points - but there was also the issue of the emergency announcement that someone made just a few hours before. Despite his capability to use Nen, it seemed that he was still unable to see the Nen beasts. On top of that, Nen itself was now common knowledge, especially among the other royals and their guards. The very idea of it put him at a disadvantage and took away his edge.

Knowing that meant he would have to act more tactically and proceed with caution. Benjamin could almost hear the reiteration of Balsamilco's exact words.

Although it wasn't something that he particularly cared about as waiting made him less patient, there was a lot of information they lacked regarding the specific nature of the Nen Beasts. Which made it vital that he got the intel before anyone else. There were also hunters on board, and since they could wield Nen, that served to complicate matters. Both were unknown factors with abilities that could potentially be dangerous.

Whoever made the emergency announcement definitely knew what they were doing. The stalemate that it produced was a wise move indeed, but it was a hurdle that needed to be overcome regardless of circumstance. There was no telling just how many Nen users could be hidden within the other princes and princesses' personal guards.

The only other part left was to dispatch his own guards into their service as spies under the pretenses of guarding them. That way, he could get a better idea of their individual situations.

It was a decent plan that would hopefully turn the tides. No matter what it took, his victory would be ensured, even if that meant using lethal force by any means necessary. Naturally, it would just be done under the guise of self-defense.

Prince Benjamin smiled, one that was cocky but also malignant. No one else would rule Kakin but him, and he wouldn't allow anyone else to change that.

Bright lights accented the long hallway, each one glowing vibrantly as they illuminated the numerous doors spanning its massive length. It was strangely quiet and highly unusual as the previous deck had guards lining almost every hallway and corner, although it was primarily for civilians. Yet, the area was oddly devoid of such. Even so, it didn't necessarily mean there wasn't someone close by.

Gon carefully peered around the corner, his back slightly to the wall as he attempted to survey the corridor before him. So far, nothing had presented itself aside from the doors leading to who knew where, but it was one of the few places they had left to check since arriving on the fourth deck.

"Do you see anything?" He heard Killua say from just over his shoulder, and Gon turned to face him, then shook his head. They, along with the Spiders, didn't know precisely where the Kakin treasure vault was, but more and more, it appeared that it wasn't on their current tier.

Thinking about it made sense, as it was more than likely on one of the upper decks, but they still wanted to be sure.

"It looks like no one is around," Gon responded in a hushed tone, and he broke eye contact from Killua to shoot a quick glance over to the three other men who were standing not far behind. Phinks and Feitan were focused in the opposite direction while Nobunaga equally watched both groups.

So far, they had managed to check the bulk of the deck undetected, but the lack of people - guards or otherwise - was somewhat unnerving.

Until now, practically every place they had searched was, at least, patrolled by guards. Even the standard offices governing the general passengers, customer services, and the fourth level cabins saw regular patrols. Yet, for some reason, where they were looked to be empty.

After having to avoid so much security prior, the prospect that it was abandoned seemed a bit far-fetched.

"Wait…" Killua responded and slowly peered around the corner to get a better view of the well-lit corridor. "You're right. I don't see anybody either." He said after several moments, then leaned back and shifted his gaze from Gon to the Spiders, expression flat.

Each one of them looked contemplative. "Although I don't care to admit it," Phinks spoke casually, his gaze, however, remained averted towards the currently vacant corridor, "I have to agree." Recognizing the aptitude of both kids, the very same ones that Nobunaga idolized, wasn't something that he usually did. Still, up to where they were now, they had shown just how deep their capabilities actually ran. While he never openly admitted it, Nobunaga may have been right about the kids after all. The man knew how to pick them. "Still, the lack of any military, while beneficial for us, bothers me. Before now, the place was crawling with guards, but this section appears to lack any. I don't even see surveillance cameras." Phinks turned away from the hall, his eyes now fixed on Gon and Killua.

"It sure seems that way," Nobunaga stated calmly, his attention never wavering from his observation point. Regardless of their current circumstance, they needed to remain alert. "The absence of security, after how tight we've seen it, definitely is off."

Phinks grunted and briefly shot his attention toward the Samurai. "You think it could be some kind of trap?"

"That is quite possible," Feitan chimed in, his eyes narrowed and barely visible above the mask.

Listening to the Spiders made Gon frown as he tried processing what they said. It never crossed his mind that a trap would be why no guards were present, but it was nearly impossible to tell either way. The likelihood of them finding the royal vault on deck four was almost nil, but something led him to consider otherwise. Such a conundrum made Gon's brain struggle, as complex scenarios tended to confuse him, and he sighed in exasperation. The boy could practically feel the steam coming from his ears.

Afterward, Gon noticed Killua staring at him pointedly.

"I suppose that we won't know unless we investigate anyway." He finally said after deciding to let his mind settle. Jumping right in, despite the risks, was the only way of knowing for sure. "And if it turns out the vault isn't here, then we just figure a way to access the next deck."

There was a pause as everyone watched Gon with mixed reactions, the Spiders more unreadable than not. Killua breathed in, aware that his friend wanted to be reckless as usual. The behavior was something that he would never get used to.

Perhaps, at some point, it would be the death of him.

"Gon…"

The sound of constant shuffling interrupted Killua before he could finish, and he realized that all three men were watching them with continued scrutiny. Only Nobunaga seemed to house a vein of adoration on his narrow features.

"Tch," Phinks breathed, the noise barely audible. "Someone is eager." He shoved both hands into the pockets of his tracksuit, noting the clear but firm determination that Gon exhibited. The boy's posture practically screamed his impatience.

"Well, if he wants to run towards his death, let him." Feitan added nonchalantly, his voice laced with a twinge of indifference.

Hearing such insouciance from the Spiders made Killua grind his teeth. Maybe they were willing to sacrifice Gon, but he wasn't about to, damn them. "No!" He blurted out defensively. "I won't let that happen!" The depth of his tone was enough to draw their collective attention, even Gon's. Killua could feel the heat rising along with his anger, and the silver-eyed boy clenched both fists roughly.

Curse the Genei Ryodan's bloody mentality. What a bunch of jerks.

Getting along with them was hard, Killua realized, but he continued trying to do it for Kurapika's sake. Hell, even Chrollo had persuaded him. The man had proven that he genuinely loved his Kurta friend, and both reasons were enough for him to cast aside his feelings in favor of at least working with them.

That didn't mean there weren't a few times where he wanted to strangle them. Sometimes, certain ones knew how to piss him off, but Killua managed to deal regardless.

He still hoped that sooner or later, they would come around and begin to show them some respect. Though it wasn't something that Killua had entire faith in.

Whether or not that actually happened remained to be seen.

Gon was the one who always had a strong trust for others. He was akin to a bright light shining radiantly through the dark. No matter what happened, Gon continued smiling, even if he knew that his decisions could bring about adverse consequences. There was a strength within the other boy that he envied and was another tie that kept them bound. Killua had since resolved to do whatever was necessary to protect Gon.

"Honestly, there really isn't any reason to go that far," Nobunaga commented abruptly, and Killua was snapped from his nagging thoughts. "Besides, we need a plan and causing a ruckus would probably inhibit our search for the treasury. Danchou already asked us to try maintaining a low profile for now."

The group fell into silence again as Killua shifted his gaze between the men while Phinks and Feitan shot each other questionable looks before facing their taller comrade. Gon shifted anxiously beside him.

Phinks grunted underneath his breath. "Yeah, alright." He conceded, albeit reluctantly. It was evident in the man's posture that he wasn't entirely keen on switching gears. "While creating a stir would be fun, it would also alert the guards and make the royal army aware of our presence." Unconsciously, Phinks's hand had come to reside on his shoulder as he prepared to wind his arm, though he never did.

Giving up on sowing chaos was disappointing, but the prospect of obtaining valuable treasure quelled that sensation.

"What do you propose we do?" Feitan inquired, an eyebrow raised.

"One of us could scout ahead, and make sure it's safe before moving on," Killua suggested, his voice flat as he was dead set on trying to eliminate any risks before continuing. They had to proceed carefully to avoid detection.

The suggestion made Gon blink as he swiftly turned to stare at Killua dead in the eye, shock creeping over his features. "But—" Stiffness edged the boy's voice, and his lips pursed into a thin line. He wanted to be the one doing the investigating, but Killua wanted to go instead. It made his frown deepen.

"No buts." Killua reacted almost the second that Gon spoke. He placed both hands on his hips, certain that Gon would attempt to retort if he allowed it. "We need to be careful about this." Then, his attention returned to the Spiders while ignoring Gon's immediate pouting, and Killua tilted his head curiously, hoping they would give him an answer to the proposal that he made.

Feitan and Phinks watched him impassively. Nobunaga's expression was almost cacographic, but Killua could see there was a vein of approval beneath the man's façade. It was easy to tell that, at least to a degree, Nobunaga had a higher opinion of them unlike the rest. Aside from Chrollo anyway.

Maybe that attitude would help change the other Ryodan's mindset. "I suppose that won't be a problem," Phinks said after a few awkward moments, his posture completely straight. The aura which flowed around him spiked abruptly before returning to a low simmer, the emotion behind it becoming slightly more intense. "Just don't do anything that could give us away," Phinks added a little more firmly.

It was a warning that didn't go unnoticed, though Killua was compelled even more to complete his objective. All he had to do was a little bit of reconnaissance and report back. Melding into the shadows was one of his specialties, primarily due to his assassin background, so utilizing stealth was child's play. He nodded tersely and slipped around the corner without a word, his footsteps quickly fading away.

After Killua had put enough distance between himself and the others, the young Zoldyck boy quickly glanced over his shoulder in the direction he came from before carefully glissading into the nearby shadows.

The sound of heavy breathing echoed within Killua's ears as he flattened himself against the cold wall just before several figures moved swiftly past his location. Several loud shouts soon followed, and his silver eyes watched them meticulously as he waited for the men to pass, though Killua knew it wouldn't be that easy. Unfortunately, one of the guards had spotted him right before he could take cover, and to his dismay, they were now aware of his presence.

Once again, another round of shouts rose through the area, and Killua grit his teeth, both hands subconsciously balled into tight fists.

How in the hell he managed to screw up was something that frustrated him. It was entirely unbelievable since he had promised — swore even that he wouldn't do anything to jeopardize their mission, and now more than a dozen soldiers were tracking his movements. Thinking about it made Killua wonder exactly where he went wrong, but fixing his egregious error and making it back to the others was crucial.

If he hadn't taken that chance to investigate those rooms with the special locks on them, perhaps he wouldn't have ended up in his current predicament.

Killua swallowed thickly and peered from his hiding place down the hall where the military officers had gone, then darted out once he realized they were far enough away with their backs turned. Considering how the area was laid out, getting to where Gon and the Spiders were located meant taking a longer way around. He distinctly remembered seeing another hallway close by that one room he found, which seemed to be the office of someone important. However, it hadn't taken Killua long to figure out exactly who.

The reality of it added to the urgency of his situation. He had to get back and warn the others. They needed to know that other factions were involved in the Succession War aside from the Kakin royals, their military, and the Hunter Association.

Slowly, Killua made his way back to where he had discovered the unique room, and the moment when he attempted to slide down the next corridor, a cacophony of voices forced him to duck hastily through an open door on the other side. Another group of soldiers entered the hallway right after he closed it, and Killua held his breath as they began to slowly shuffle by. Several minutes passed as the young Zoldyck waited, tracking the sound of their movements and voices, each second that it took them to move away increased the risk of getting discovered.

Eventually, the sounds faded, and Killua slumped against the door as he attempted to soothe his palpitating heart. At the same time, he waited a little longer to make sure the guards had left the area before deciding to cautiously exit the room.

The door opened with a resonant creak, and Killua tensed before shifting to look down both ends of the hall, ensuring the coast was clear, and began making his way again toward the corridor that would lead him back to his companions. Killua managed to take a few steps forward before stiffening up instantly.

"Hey you! Stop right there!" Someone called out, and Killua halted dead in his tracks, eyes soon locking with a tall man in military garb pointing a gun directly at his face. Without hesitation, Killua put his hands up before him, a mocking grin worming its way across his lips as the man approached, the barrel of the rifle holding steady. "Don't try to even move." He demanded further.

For several tense minutes, Killua stood there, watching the man as he continued moving closer while keeping the gun trained on him, caution accenting every step made. As the soldier advanced, Killua discreetly shifted his gaze toward the hallway beside them and back again while carefully measuring the distance from it. He patiently waited, biding his time as the man bridged the gap, ensuring that his calculations were correct, and right before the officer could reach him, Killua darted off toward the hallway.

His sudden reaction didn't throw the person off for long as he had just managed to round the next corner when several shots were fired and hit the wall behind him. The man began shouting, though Killua ignored his demands to cease and desist and instead maintained a swift but steady pace. Plus, the commotion had likely alerted the other guards, so more of them would be after him. If he stopped now, the chances of them catching up or even capturing him were much, much greater.

Killua took a second to gaze over his shoulder, noting that, fortunately, no one was currently behind him. Yet. Even then, rendezvousing with the rest of his group was the only option now.

He rounded several more corners, urgency and desperation pushing him forward as he moved in the direction leading back to the main hallway. The reverberation of yelling along with heavy footsteps seemed to follow him, although no one was in the immediate vicinity. Nevertheless, it was clear that a massive search was definitely underway.

Taking way more time to reach his destination would only make his situation far worse. Killua didn't want to increase his odds and possibly make everything more complicated for the Spiders or Gon. They already had enough on their plates just trying to maneuver between the ship's tiers.

"Damnit!" Killua cursed inwardly, frustrated with how everything was turning out. He really should have been more circumspect after deciding to inspect that one suspicious-looking office.

At least he would have noticed the rather tall, blond man with clear, beady eyes and wearing a striped suit lingering in the adjacent room. It was only because of his own bloody arrogance that he assumed the space was empty.

"Damnit!" He repeated out loud. "I should have been more careful than I was. By letting my guard down, the enemy was able to sneak up on me!"

Thinking about how it happened made Killua hiss between his teeth slowly. Usually, he was constantly berating Gon for acting reckless or making stupid mistakes, but now he was the one guilty of it.

Killua was confident that he would hear about it - mainly from the Ryodan once he made it back.

Again the echoes of shouting and men barking orders resounded throughout the area; even the clicking of guns seemed to bounce off the walls. Killua could barely make out his own breathing or footfalls amid the growing din, but it didn't hinder the fervent pace that he maintained as he neared the place of his destination.

He ducked through another entryway that led toward another corridor, one that connected straight to where he needed to go. Only a little further and he would finally reconvene with the others.

Gently, he leaned against the wall and poked his head out from behind it only to catch sight of two military guys standing between him and the last stretch. Killua pulled back before they could spot him and considered what he should do next. Then an idea crossed his mind.

Almost fluidly, Killua readied his Yo-Yos as the circular objects slid into both hands, and he peered around the edge of the wall once more to put each guard into his sights. Killua smirked almost mischievously before quickly dashing out from behind the wall and flung both Yo-Yos towards the guards. They only had enough time to turn and face him before the strings from the Nen toys wound around their bodies. The guns they were carrying had instantly clattered to the floor, and Killua snapped his arms opposite before sending massive volts of lightning and thunder energy their way.

Both men shrieked when it made contact, and they stiffened for a split second before crumbling to the ground.

"That should do it," Killua murmured as he recalled his Yo-Yos, then put them away. At least the guards should remain knocked out for a while. "Now to rejoin Gon." He added and turned away to resume his hurried stride.

Fortunately, the rest of the way was left unhindered even though Kakin's military continued to alert and sent more guards to search the halls. Killua turned the last corner and found Gon standing with the Spiders right where he had left them. When Killua was close enough, he braced for impact.

"Killua!" Gon exclaimed once he was close enough. Phinks, Feitan, and Nobunaga turned to face him seconds later, their gazes practically scrutinizing. "You're safe." The boy continued, relief accenting his voice. "I started to worry after we heard all the shouting. What happened?"

"That's what I also want to know," Phinks interjected, arms crossed over his chest. "There certainly has been a lot of commotion, and it all started not long after you left." He glared down his nose at the silver-haired boy.

"Yeah," Feitan commented, his eyes boring down into Killua's. "What the hell did you do?"

Only Nobubaga appeared to silently observe the exchange, his demeanor indecipherable. The lack of emotion or indication of how the man felt about the situation made it awkward. Killua swallowed thickly.

He knew exactly where this was going. "I sort of… accidentally got caught. Though not physically." Killua turned away to keep from meeting Phinks or Feitan's judgmental stares. "It wasn't intentional." He confirmed hurriedly.

"You what?" Phinks barked, half laughing, half angry. "Well, isn't that rich? And this is after you practically swore that you wouldn't. It's also the same reason why you wouldn't let him go." He supplied while jabbing a finger in Gon's direction.

Heat suddenly flared up along the sides of Killua's neck and over his cheeks. The stab of reality hit hard, and the embarrassment was hard to bear. Gon looked sympathetic, but it wasn't quite enough. "Shut up!" Killua snapped, anger swelling to the surface. It was bad enough that he was already miffed by what took place. "I know that I messed up, but it's beside the point now. We have another problem."

The statement immediately drew their attention. Gon snapped his head to face Killua. "Oh?" Phinks commented, the eyebrowless man genuinely curious. "As if we don't already have enough problems to deal with." He cut the last word off with sour contempt.

"Phinks does have a point." Feitan supplied. His words were firm and unkind. "Just how much worse can it be?"

Listening to their blatant dismissal and lackadaisical attitude made Killua want to facepalm. "Alright, listen." He began intently. "When I was scouting, I came across a few rooms that were locked. Since we have no idea where the vault is, I figured it was best to check them out." Killua paused deliberately to gauge the Spiders' reactions but quickly resumed when their expressions darkened. "Anyway, the point is I think there are also several mafia families on board. It must have been one of their offices that I found." The young Zoldyck finalized, posture unmoving.

A brief but tense stillness descended around them. For a moment, the Spiders looked mildly concerned. "I see." Nobunaga finally spoke, breaking the silence. "That could prove to be a problem, but it definitely isn't anything we haven't dealt with before." The man reached up to then stroke his goatee while looking thoughtful.

"Tch ya think?" Phinks replied audacious, his face beginning to glow with excitement. "We decimated those bastards once before, and we can do it again."

The entire time Killua watched the exchange in utter disbelief. He knew the Spiders were strong, but their hubris was utterly ridiculous. Killua sniffed before looking over at Gon, who merely shrugged.

"Still. None of us knew the mafia was on board as well, but I am pretty sure Kurapika and Chrollo didn't either. Regardless, it's another reason to be cautious as we continue searching. Though, I did learn the vault isn't located on this floor." Killua shoved both hands into his pockets this time, hoping they believed him.

"What made you think that?" Phinks questioned, hands on his hips. He observed the boy attentively.

Killua met the man's gaze. "Because when I was initially searching that office, I happened to find documents about the vault and its contents. Apparently the location is a well kept secret, but from what information I could gather, it's somewhere on deck two."

The group promptly fell silent again.

It was a revelation that none of them wanted as they already knew just how difficult it would be to access anything above tier three. But now, it seemed that was exactly where they needed to go. Little by little, their situation continued to worsen, and Killua wondered if it was just as bad for Kurapika and his boyfriend.

Hopefully, they were both okay. At least Leorio was safe working in the central medical bay.

"Shit. If that is really the case, then I suppose there is no further use staying here." Nobunaga stated, and his attention landed on both comrades. "I don't believe what the boy says is wrong, so it's probably best we try to find a way onto deck two."

Right then, more commotion rose from the hallway down from them, and Nobunaga abstractedly reached for his sword. Feitan did the same as he retrieved his umbrella cane, and Phinks prepared to wind his arm. Gon and Killua quickly dropped into defensive stances.

"We may have to fight our way out first," Phinks mentioned, and the tall man inched forward, ready to act.

"Unless we get out of here before those guards can reach us." Gon relayed after remaining quiet for so long. Both of his hands were clenched together as he intently watched the area before him.

There was no denying that Gon was right and if they could avoid any further altercations, the better. Killua glanced approvingly at his friend.

Such a notion wasn't at the top of the Ryodans' list, but none of them could argue the facts. Phinks spared a brief, anatomizing glance towards the dark-haired kid before grunting and focusing back on the hallway the noises were coming from. "Yeah, you have a point, though I don't care to admit it. Danchou expects us to be inconspicuous after all."

Both Feitan and Nobunaga neglected to say anything, but it was evident they weren't about to dispute what their comrade had said. Instead, the men gazed toward each other quickly before nodding curtly to the boys.

Time was of the essence.

"Fine then. Let's get the hell out of here," Phinks conceded and slowly started working his way in the opposite direction of the voices, Feitan and Nobunaga mimicking him. Killua then nodded toward Gon as they also began following them.

Hopefully, they would reach the next deck without much hindrance.

There was a buzz of activity as the remaining servants flitted about the large antechamber while attempting to organize it, their apprehension evident in their movements. Across the room stood Oito while gingerly cradling the princess as the tiny infant twitched off and on while in a fitful sleep. The young woman's eyes surveyed the hustle around her, especially her last three bodyguards.

It wasn't hard to tell they were equally stressed or how the perpetually increasing conundrum they faced was slowly taking its toll.

So much had transpired and in a very short amount of time. How either of them had managed to handle it was a feat by itself, though Kurapika appeared to be the one struggling the most while Chrollo had a more collected look. Bill sported a weary expression.

Oito felt sorry for them. All three men had been kind to her and Woble.

"You could always use Sayrid's ability to investigate the other princes and princesses," Bill said after a long, drawn-out silence.

Kurapika turned from what he was doing and faced the middle-aged man with a frown. "Possibly, but I can't just go searching around blindly. We need to narrow down the list of targets." He stopped briefly before tugging on the edges of his blazer absently, then closed his eyes. "Honestly, splitting my attention would be too high of a risk and I wouldn't be able to sustain it for long."

The very thought, although quixotic, wasn't an entirely bad idea. Kurapika sighed. If he only had the concentration and energy to do it. Getting a read on multiple targets would have been very useful, but taking that chance was highly inadvisable with the current risk factors involved.

Conducting such an operation would be extremely difficult, and with their situation becoming increasingly complicated, it could ultimately backfire. Retrieving the Scarlet Eyes was hard enough, but surviving the trip, the Dark Continent and the Nacknars, along with every unknown danger, would be a miracle itself.

With a good strategy and hopefully enough luck, the scales may tip in their favor.

"You know," a voice called out, and Kurapika spun around to see Chrollo approaching them, "in a situation like this, you could always transfer the ability to me." He came to a stop just before them, his attention on his short-blond lover. "I definitely can divide my attention easily, and considering my abilities, the risk would be low. I would only require a lay out of the ship."

For a moment, Kurapika stood there analyzing Chrollo, his eyes eagerly searching the older man's face while slowly processing what he had just said. Although Kurapika didn't have extensive knowledge of Chrollo's abilities, entrusting his lover with the task was quite tempting.

Chrollo exhibited calm and equanimity when necessary, plus he had a sophisticated, tactical mind. Spearheading a solo mission on long-ranged surveillance would probably give them an edge, but Kurapika wasn't sure if doing that was the best way to go.

Not only was he uncertain what would happen to the ability once it was transferred to Chrollo, but there were also other factors to consider.

Currently, they were facing so many hazards, and most of them were due to unknown elements. With the looming Succession War and the threat of Nen Beasts, they couldn't afford to make mistakes.

While he entirely trusted his lover, Kurapika didn't want to put them all at a considerable disadvantage. "Although I would be inclined to agree, I am not so sure that would be a good idea. It may be tempting, but with our current situation and all the innominate problems we face, doing that may be unwise. I need you in case something were to go wrong, especially with helping to ensure the queen's safety." He stated carefully, his eyes locked with Chrollo's.

A few seconds went by as Chrollo seemed to digest everything he heard, though his demeanor remained unchanged. The older man simply nodded. "I understand." He responded but refrained from adding babe to the end of his statement. Chrollo knew that he and Kurapika were supposed to keep their relationship a secret.

He didn't want anyone to know they were romantically involved.

The response pleased Kurapika as he had partly expected Chrollo to put up an argument over his decision but was surprised to get the opposite. He reached over to - with mild affection - pat the older man on the arm before turning to face Bill again. However, a buzzing from the room's callbox made Kurapika stop short.

"I wonder if that's—"

"You mean the first prince's guard?" Bill supplied, his expression flat.

"Or another possible spy?" Chrollo questioned and crossed his arms.

"Both. And it's very possible. I am almost certain of it," Kurapika spat, his attention lingering on the door.

Afterward, he gestured for one of the servants to answer the call, and a stout woman frantically reached for the phone sitting on the receiver. "Yes?" She stammered as concern accented her features.

"This is Vincent of the royal guard. I am here on orders from first Prince Benjamin."

Everyone in the room fell into an uneasy quiet as they gazed at each other before Kurapika nodded for the servant to let the guard in. Afterward, Oito approached him with Amar at her side, the baby in her arms crying restlessly. She appeared slightly haggard. "I will be moving to the bedroom," Oito said and gently rocked Woble. "She keeps crying although I just nursed her, so I am unsure what's wrong." Then her eyes met Kurapika's before sighing heavily. "And besides, new people make me nervous. So it's probably best that I let you three handle it from here."

It was an explanation that Kurapika was able to entirely understand. Taking precautions was necessary with all the dangers they faced, especially from the other royals. Since they were dealing with a guard sent by the first prince, who knew if the man had some kind of hidden agenda.

For Kurapika - probably Bill and Chrollo too - he couldn't take the chance.

"I understand." He responded sympathetically. "We will assign him to guard the entrance and the rest of us maintain our shifts. That way, it will make it harder for him to try anything without one of us noticing."

A moment later, Kurapika noticed that Bill was oddly fixated on something, and right before he turned, his co-worker shouted, the noise drawing both him and Chrollo in the direction the man was facing. It didn't take either of them long to recognize what was happening. The scene before Kurapika instantly threw him into a defensive state. Chrollo did the same afterward.

"She came at me with this knife, yessir," Vincent said wickedly, a gleeful smile on his face while pointing to a knife handle protruding out of the servant's chest. "I had no choice. She also was carrying a vial that looks to have poison in it as well, yessir." The man stepped closer, his movements becoming compulsive, precise, almost feline-like. "I bet she was planning to drug someone. So, I exercised my right to use self-defense yessir." Again, Vincent stepped forward, the advancement practically menacing.

Without hesitation, Kurapika dropped nimbly into a defensive pose, chains exposed and positioned threateningly before him. At the same time, Chrollo did the same, though he quickly whipped out his Benz knife, the blade gleaming hungrily beneath the bright light.

It wasn't until they heard the sound of a low, deep, and resonant growl that Kurapika's attention was briefly diverted from the lumbering man in the entryway.

"What have you done?" A voice rang suddenly within every mind, and Vincent stopped short. The man stood utterly straight and wide-eyed. Amar padded closer. "That woman was no threat to you!"

Thinking about what happened made Amar hiss again, his fangs exposed and glistening with thick saliva as they snapped together dangerously. Every hair on his body rose instinctively, even down to his tail which also bristled in turn. His ears laid back, and Amar poised, ready to strike. There was no way he was about to let that vile human attack anyone, even Oito or her vulnerable baby. An image of Woble flashed in his mind, and it made Amar arch his back even more. The claws on both front paws nearly dug into the marble tiling as a result.

"Amar! Wait!" Kurapika called in desperation, the chains on his hand tingling in reflection of his mood. "Charging in and attacking him will only make it worse! We have to be careful about this!" He continued, already sure of what direction their altercation was going.

"Do you think that striking him will cause any negative effects on our part?" Chrollo questioned in a low tone, his attention never wavering from their assailant.

"Yes." He confirmed, lips forming into a scowl. "Even an obvious fabrication from this man would be accepted as truth in court. All three of us would be arrested and convicted as assassins at once. Which in the end would leave the queen and princess with the last servant to be picked off by someone else."

"I see," Chrollo muttered and gripped the knife handle tighter. Their options were unfortunately limited.

How they proceeded next would determine the outcome and their fate. Amar had even ceased moving, the young Nacknar entirely unsure of what to do next. The low sobbing Woble made was the only thing that caused him to struggle with reacting.

"Don't come any closer," Vincent warned after raising a gun up in front of him, the barrel aimed directly at all of them. "You especially." The man continued, his attention shifting toward Amar. For a fleeting moment, his smile faded, only to be replaced by a disapproving frown, but it was soon replaced by his smile again. Vincent trained the gun at Amar. "What are you anyway? Some kind of magical beast? Even so, you look dangerous, and with the threat of Nen beasts lurking the ship, that's a cause for concern." He paused and let the weight of his words sink in before moving back to Kurapika, Chrollo, and Bill. Their expressions caused his grin to expand further. "Still, if any of you try and make a move, I'll assume that you're conspiring to assassinate fourteenth Princess Woble and exercise my right to use self-defense. Yessir!"

A disquieted and tense silence fell over the room as Kurapika's group obdurately faced off against Vincent as the man continued trying to provoke them implicitly. Multitudes of thoughts raced in a frantic rush through his mind as he tried to find the quickest solution to their dilemma while Chrollo and Bill surveyed their current position with sharp and hawkish precision.

Amar remained steadfast but hunched over slightly as he growled low and deep, the rumble in his throat aggressive and threatening. The desire to clamp his fangs down on Vincent's throat and taste the vile man's blood was nearly overwhelming. Every urge, down to his innate Nacknar roots, the very ones that he had renounced so long ago, tried to flood to the surface and take control, but he resisted the pull.

Remaining untainted by his origins was immensely significant to him. It always had. Amar knew that he had come too far to let everything he had accomplished fall to ash, primarily his trust with Kurapika and Chrollo.

Even though it wasn't always easy to quell the beast within, letting this contemptible, gormandizing human goad him into committing a heinous act was one thing that he would not allow to happen.

Hearing Woble's cries only added to Amar's conviction as he wanted to do whatever was necessary to protect the young, defenseless child. There was something about the tiny girl that drew him to her, the growing need to guard and shelter her, just like her mother. It was strange, but Amar felt connected to the princess. It was similar to his connection with Kurapika and Chrollo, though something else about Woble drew him in. The very depth of it compelled him to ensure that no harm ever befell her.

Because of that, there was no way in hell he would allow that man standing before them to carry out his insidious plans.

Standing down was nearly impossible, yet, he did so after his eyes caught Kurapika's and the quiet instance he made when both of his hands raised up defensively.

Almost immediately, Bill and Chrollo did exactly the same.

The following result only seemed to amuse Vincent. "Ah, a wise choice indeed." He cackled and let the body of the servant slip from his grasp as it crumbled to the floor. Next, Vincent raised the gun up slightly and let his attention fall back on Kurapika. "I assume that you're the one who made the emergency call?"

Kurapika nodded curtly at the question, his hands still raised up before him.

"So then you are Kurapika," Vincent mused, his beady eyes watching the young blond man with growing interest.

"Yes I am." He commented slowly. Carefully. Kurapika's gaze never wavered from Vincent's. "As I am sure that you already know, there are many who are after the princess's life. Considering the motives of the other royals, you are logically the most dangerous one here." Kurapika finalized with a bit of vitriol at the end.

Knowing that it was first Prince Benjamin who sent a practical assassin into their midst infuriated Kurapika. But like Amar, as he could tell that Vincent's presence had upended the young Nacknar, there was no way he would let the man bring any harm to the queen or her daughter.

There was no denying that he was cruel and heartless.

Yet, it was as if Vincent already knew. The man's expression became even more sinister. "I am offended by that, yessir." He drawled, the corners of his lips upturning maliciously. "My intention is to solve the problem that is going on here." Vincent then paused as the clicking sound of his gun accented the truculence in his voice. "Won't you cooperate? Because then we'll have reason to spare your lives." He finally added with a spiteful smirk.

Just listening to Vincent talk and seeing the man's sadistic, perverse nature made Kurapika want to vomit. Amar snarled heatedly beside him, the Nacknar's jowls parted with black lips fully curled back. It sickened him that Vincent and the first prince practically had them over a barrel with little to no options for recourse.

Making the call was his gambit, and now he was dealing with the aftermath.

"Who are you to think that you're in any position to make threats and demands?" Chrollo interjected suddenly, his words dark and challenging. His hand itched to retake hold of the Benz knife now concealed inside the folds of his blazer.

Immediately, Kurapika thrust out his left arm to cease his lover's speech. Saying anything more could adversely affect their delicate situation. "Let me handle this." He stated calmly before turning back to address their infiltrator. "Our vow," Kurapika resumed, his resolve gradually resurfacing, "is to protect both of them regardless of circumstance." He added while gesturing toward Queen Oito and Princess Woble. Then, Kurapika shifted slightly and raised a hand toward his face. Once he finished removing something, Kurapika faced everyone again. "So that is why we are here now." He said with finality.

A wave of startled gasps filled the room.

Chrollo stepped forward carefully, only needing to close the meager gap between them, and placed a hand on his lover's shoulder. "Are you sure about this?" He whispered so only that Kurapika could hear.

"Yes." He responded, utterly resolute. "Princess Woble, Queen Oito, do you trust me?" Kurapika questioned and turned to face them fully, his eyes radiating a bright, vibrant crimson, now free of the blue contacts.

There was silence amongst them once again, but no sooner than it had begun did the sound of Woble's pleas draw their attention. Her little hands waved adamantly in Kurapika's direction, the same way she tended to react with Amar, and the ebony creature seemed to instantly understand. He looked from her to Oito then back to her. "You trust him too, don't you little one?" Amar cooed softly.

It was a realization that grasped Queen Oito as she was snapped from her momentary trance. Because of the same unabating credence that she saw from not just Amar but Kurapika and Chrollo as well, it was enough to seal her judgment. "I trust you!" She announced, loud and clear, the confidence in her daughter's choice and Amar's abiding loyalty driving her on. "No matter what happens, I will have faith in all of you!"

Her affirmation was the only signal that Kurapika needed, and in a flash, he whipped around so that he could launch one of his chains at her. There was a rush of silver as the tip of a metal syringe made contact with her arm, and the swirling energy contained within drained promptly into her body.

Everything stilled, the world dampened, void of sound, and Oito felt her body go rigid. There was a brief absence of sensation, even awareness, as it appeared that her sensory nodes had died, then a spark burst forth along with a surge of energy. Her eyes opened wide as a buzz echoed in her ear, and seconds afterward, a voice much like Amar's, popped into her mind.

Oito was caught off guard by it. The tone was deep but with more of an electric overtone.

"Lady Oito," it hummed robotically, "I am speaking directly into your mind. We are currently connected through Kurapika's ability, so the skill, Little Eye, a different ability that I was loaded with, has been transferred to you."

Figuring out exactly what had transpired wasn't easy, and it took her a few minutes to gather herself. Oito remained silent as the shock was nearly suppressive, but she maintained eye contact with Kurapika. Though Oito could also sense Amar's body against her side, the ebony creature remained intently close.

What comfort he offered was definitely something she needed.

It wasn't until she heard the mechanical-sounding voice again that she was snapped from her wayward thoughts. "Also, Lady Oito," the entity continued, almost as if it hadn't stopped, "the usage of the ability applies until it is activated. Furthermore, I am visible to only you and Kurapika."

Dealing with such a drastic change would take a while, primarily since she wasn't used to such an extreme and unpredictable turn of events. Just being aboard the Black Whale, on a journey to the Dark Continent, amid a battle for succession and wrought by mysterious beasts was enough. Adding the complexity of Nen on top of it made it virtually inundating.

Oito wasn't sure if she would be able to cope entirely with the notion.

However, as the situation continued to transpire, Vincent watched the scene unfold practically flabbergasted. He hadn't expected Kurapika to attack the queen or that she wouldn't react to it. The rapid change in the young man's behavior, while strange, made him wonder if Kurapika would consider working on the side of Prince Benjamin. With a person of his caliber, he would definitely make a great addition to the guard team.

Though, Vincent didn't realize initially that Oito's other two bodyguards were no longer present.

The reality of it was immensely suspicious and put him on high alert.

And even then, he wasn't prepared for what happened next.

Vincent barely had time to react as both men rushed toward him, their auras flaring wildly as one wielded a rather crude-looking knife, the other with defenses raised. He swiftly raised his gun again and began to fire rapidly, the bullets shooting out of the barrel at near lightspeed. Several rounds flooded the air as Vincent proceeded to empty the clip, the magazine soon going empty once the last shot was ultimately fired. He then lowered the weapon slightly, ready to survey the carnage left behind, only to realize they were entirely unscathed. Both men had used their auras to completely block the bullets at the last second.

"What the hell…" Vincent heard the thought echo within his ears, barely left with a second chance to react as the man with the knife came at his side while the other at a full-frontal assault. "They used Nen to stop the bullets. It seems that a gun won't stop either of them."

Quickly, he ditched the firearm, and his own aura flared to life, each node filling with pure life energy. Then, in one swift motion, Vincent thrust his left hand forward, the power of his hatsu rushing toward the palm of his hand and to each fingertip. If a gun wasn't going to do it, then brute force would.

"Empty Fist, Air Blow!" Vincent screeched while breathing heavily, but nothing really happened.

"What…? Why isn't…" Right as the notion came to mind, he managed to catch a glimpse of a silver needle jutting out of his leg just before Bill managed to clobber him with an elbow directly to his chest. The wind was instantly knocked out of him, and before he even had the opportunity to recover, Vincent felt his feet suddenly knocked out from under him by Chrollo. His vision swam, and everything tilted, the weight of his body making him go entirely off-kilter. Vincent cursed as he fell backward, though just before hitting the ground, the dark, red-eyed creature jumped up and over the man with poofy, light brown hair before lunging at him. Pain shot through his body as it clamped down mercilessly on his forearm.

The beast snarled viciously once his back hit the floor and the force of its jaws caused the gun to drop from his grip with a loud clang.

Between the weight of one guard pinning him, the other standing over him with the knife, and the creature clenching his arm, Vincent was at a loss for what to do. His Nen had disappeared, leaving him exposed.

Vincent could also sense the warmth of thick liquid beginning to run in thin rivulets between his fingers.

"You're under arrest for the attempted assassination of Princess Woble," Kurapika said firmly once the commotion had died, making Vincent's face contort into one of confusion and disbelief.

It just wasn't possible. Nothing had gone according to plan, and First Prince Benjamin would definitely have his head for it. Losing wasn't an option. "What are you saying?" Vincent croaked out, his throat slowly going dry. "You're the ones who attacked first after ignoring my warnings." His eyes darted in a frenzy between the creature and all three men standing over him. The beast's jaws were still ironclad around his wrist. "As a royal guard, I am here under orders to protect the queen and princess. I will testify!" Vincent then jerked against their hold as emphasis to his words.

In the end, it was a vain attempt.

"Be quiet!" Amar snapped irascibly, his pupilless eyes narrowing. "Nothing that you say or do will ultimately change the outcome. You have no hope for salvation!" He snarled venomously, and his hold on Vincent's arm increased. The man screamed out in pain.

Again, the compulsion to taste his blood sang in Amar's veins and thrummed down in his bones. Once again, the young Nacknar found it challenging to hold back.

"He is right." Everyone swiveled to see Oito stepping forward, Woble safely in her arms. "No matter what insidious plans you may have, or whatever tricks you try to pull, the only one who murdered poor Sandra and came after our lives is you Vincent!"

A lump formed inside of Vincent's throat at the testament, and his expression soon bled into one of stress and worry. From the way it was going, he would end up tried, convicted, and likely killed before Benjamin had the chance to do it. Vincent was confident that he was doomed.

It was something those around him did take notice of.

"Whatever idea you had to get yourself out of this situation won't work," Chrollo remarked offhandedly, his grey eyes going cold as he stared down at the man lying prone on the floor. "Regardless, you will end up punished for what happened here today." Gradually, his lips spread into a rather toothy, Cheshire grin. Chrollo was confident that Vincent wouldn't come out alive one way or the other.

Forcing the man to pay with his life was, at the very least, a well-deserved recompense for what he had done.

Getting stuck on a ship filled with crazy, deranged royals had told him that many snakes were lying in wait.

Despite the rather churlish way Vincent was handled, Kurapika frowned and moved close to him after retracting his Steal Chain from the man's leg. Since he had transferred Sayrid's ability to Oito and was currently still using Emperor Time, it let him absorb another one. The bright, translucent essence swirled within the vial part of the syringe as it finally vanished.

"None of you have any need to worry," Kurapika commented strictly. He raised his right hand up, making his chains clearly visible. "With my ability," Kurapika's eyes flared a deep scarlet, "he will disclose everything while on the witness stand."

Kurapika's testament to invoke a confession from people made Chrollo raise an eyebrow. Not only was he using some kind of ability that was connected somehow to his scarlet eyes, but he also had another one that could force someone to speak. There were so many aspects about his lover that Chrollo was not yet aware of. It was just another part of Kurapika that he wanted them to talk about.

A crunching sound, followed by severe coughing, jerked Chrollo's attention to where Vincent was positioned on the floor. The man's color had suddenly turned sallow with a sickly tint of yellow, and foam began edging from between his lips. "What is going on?" He asked as his gaze shifted between Kurapika and Bill. It didn't take him long to notice that Amar had long since detached himself from Vincent's wrist and was standing beside them. Blood had already pooled beneath it.

"I.. don't know!" Bill replied in a panic as he tried in vain to determine what had just happened.

"It's poison!" Kurapika clarified, causing both Chrollo and Bill to look surprised. "A suicide pill must have been lodged in one of his molars!"

The commotion caused Oito to become nervous and distraught. "Make him spit it out then! Don't let him swallow the stuff!" She quipped as Vincent's condition deteriorated, the man's skin turning more ashen as his eyes started to glaze over, the foam exiting his mouth now streaming down the sides of his face.

It wasn't long after that he ceased breathing altogether.

Kurapika sighed as the last vestiges of life evaporated from Vincent's eyes, and he then shook his head. "Unfortunately, it's too late. He was already prepared to die when he came here. Contact the military." He stated flatly.

Such a notion had nearly caught Bill entirely unaware. "Hold on… you want to hand him over? What about the confession?"

"Is that even wise?" Chrollo supplied. Both hands were now in the pockets of his blazer.

"I agree," Amar remarked coolly. "We still need it to vouch for what took place while he was here."

The barrage of questions almost inundated him, and Kurapika raised both hands up in a gesture for them to calm down. Trying to answer them all at once would be not only taxing but complicated. Carefully, he inspected Vincent's body, and Kurapika had caught sight of a wiretap in the man's ear, which meant that someone had been listening in since the beginning.

Knowing that made it prudent for them to watch everything they said.

He brought a finger up before his lips and pointed towards the device. "I understand. While it's unfortunate, this isn't a case that can't be settled by the ship's court. His confession won't lead to an arrest. Considering the security risk a court appearance would impose, if the first prince is going to wait and see where this goes, then we should do the same."

No sooner than he finished speaking, Chrollo approached the body and reached for the wiretap before gripping it tightly within his fist. The object shattered into fragments afterward.

"Let's move the body over here."

"Hold on…"

"Alright…"

A loud, crackling noise abruptly vibrated through the headset, and Balsamilco removed the device from his person before setting it aside. The stout man pursed his lips firmly. "One of them found the bug. The transmission got cut off."

He turned in his chair slightly, and even though he wasn't quite able to see Prince Benjamin, Balsamilco could practically feel the weight of the burly man's hard stare. Casually, he reached for the laptop that was just off to the side of him and brought it forth. Balsamilco could easily tell that Prince Benjamin was displeased.

"I see." The man's deep voice rang out, the baritone always just enough to make anyone either tremble in fear or shiver in delight. He took a few steps closer, and Balsamilco ignored how the prince towered over him. "What have we learned?" Benjamin questioned.

Gently, Balsamilco lifted the laptop's cover, and immediately, the screen lit up. He began tapping rapidly on the keyboard. "It seems the abilities of the fourteenth princess's guards are a problem. Vincent was restrained only moments after the gunshots were fired. Under ordinary circumstances, that would have been unbelievable, even if Vincent was outnumbered." Balsamilco replied as he continued working without missing a beat.

It was a damn good thing that he had been trained - and was also disciplined - to work under pressure.

Benjamin hummed in response to his statement, and Balsamilco barely noticed as the man drew a chair close before sitting across from him. The prince looked genuinely curious. "So, one of them must have stripped Vincent of his Nen somehow, which caused him to use his gun. And apparently, the other can force a confession. Plus, there is a third guard that we still know nothing about."

Something about what Benjamin said piqued Balsamilco's interest as he remembered there was a point before Vincent died where he commented about an unknown entity. The aspect of it had readily caught his attention. "There was also mention of a strange creature, apparently. It had nothing to do with the Nen Beasts from what I could gather." He stated before reaching up to stroke one side of his thin mustache.

Thinking about the possibility of other lifeforms on the ship aside from the Nen Beasts was concerning but intriguing.

It seemed revealing that tidbit had also sparked the same intrigue in the prince. "Oh?" He said and crossed both arms over his chest. "A magical beast perhaps?"

"None that I am aware of," Balsamilco admitted and turned away from the computer to face Prince Benjamin. "It's another factor that we will have to get more information on. Either way, going back to Vincent's decision, there is also the possibility that he hesitated to show his ability and fired his gun instead. It was a decision that cost him." He paused and regarded their situation even more critically. Whoever they were up against was formidable. "That said, I will tell the others to be more forthright. Considering what we already know about the enemy and their abilities, it doesn't make sense. A manipulator often uses a verbal command, but there was none. Vincent was able to argue, fire a gun and poison himself. It doesn't add up."

Benjamin cocked his head to the side while appearing thoughtful. "You mean that it could be a bluff then?" He professed, the depth of his voice growing slightly eager. "And they already knew that we were monitoring them?"

The question made the corners of Balsamilco's beady eyes crinkle just a fraction, and the man breathed out slowly. "Yes." He responded, the reality of their present situation becoming even more disconcerting. Remaining cautious was imperative. "Though, it might not be a total lie. If they wanted us to hear the exchange, then it makes sense. If they truly led us to believe that one of them is a manipulator, we have to proceed carefully. If Vincent chose to commit suicide, we should consider that he had good reason to do so. The three remaining guards are unexpectedly loyal. Two of them have abilities that could be problematic while the other we know nothing about." He paused again before pursing his chubby lips together and reclining back in his chair. "There is also that creature Vincent mentioned as well," Balsamilco concluded.

Practically, when he finished speaking, Balsamilco noticed the drastic change in Prince Benjamin's demeanor. The once concerned look the man had was replaced by absolute contrivance. The predatory look in his sharp eyes made even Balsamilco flinch slightly.

"Interesting." Benjamin laughed, the sound of it wicked and treacherous. There was no denying that he was enthralled by this new game of cat and mouse. "Babimyna!" He called out seconds later, and a broad-shouldered man with short hair neatly combed and back shaved at the sides with prominent eyebrows stepped forward.

He clasped both hands behind his back. "Sir!" Babimyna responded formally before going silent.

"There have been some changes to our current objective," Benjamin announced, his features turning rigid. "What I am giving you is a mission of the utmost importance for which failure is not an option. You will lay your life on the line to see it through!" He finalized, the command evident in his voice.

Babimyna felt no hesitation from what the prince had ordered him to do as he knew what serving him and the royal family entailed. His back went fully straight, and Babimyna took hold of his resolve before looking Benjamin straight in the eye. "Yes, sir!"

After Thoughts: This is one of the longer chapters in this arc thus far, but was a bit more complex and challenging to write. As I had mentioned, my version of the DC is following canon loosely, though some events may line up, while others will be altered, changed, and happen differently. Considering that, placing the focal points for each group, and which characters will get attention hasn't been easy. Though I will say that I am enjoying some of the interactions, especially between Killua and the Genei Ryodan, plus Amar and Oito with Woble. Getting to view them in slightly different scenarios has been interesting to say the least.

Initially, I had a certain chapter limit planned out for this arc, but considering how the plot is going, it may get extended by a chapter or two, which in turn, could extend RoF's total chapter limit as well. I'll see how it goes and make an announcement in the future if it looks as if this may end up the case.

Once again, I hope everyone is enjoying the story and you can expect much more excitement to come in the upcoming chapters. :