The Hunter's Fantasia: A Never-ending Tale
By Kumatenshi
VOLUME I: THE BOOK OF PROPHECIES ** Chapter IV --- The Rainbow Crescent **
From the memory crystal of Gon
While we were still searching for the flower Memalia, in Dentora.
".and your majesty, on the issue of the marriage between Prince Killua and Princess Ertwin."
"Mr. Hisoka, but I think on a matter as serious as marriage, it will be better for my son to make the final decision and since I have sent him on a special mission, let's discuss the issue upon his return".
"Your majesty, could you provide an estimate of when Prince Killua will return so that I can report to King Netero?"
"I'm afraid I can't".
"But your majesty, the marriage is a symbol of the good relationship between Platora and Dentora and I'm quite certain Prince Killua will agree."
"It's interesting, Mr. Hisoka, that you think you can read my son's mind but still it's in our best interest to wait for the return of my son before we proceed any further on the issue."
"I understand, your majesty. I'll inform King Netero of your intentions".
"Kaito", King Shiruba summoned the young General of the Army at the departure of Hisoka, "immediately impose the orange level alert".
"King Shiruba!"
"I've no doubt about it. That young bastard Kuroro already knew the disappearance of Killua and all he wants now is an excuse for war. I'll teach him a good lesson! By the way, have you had any information about Killua?"
"I am very sorry, your majesty, but no one has heard anything about Prince Killua".
"Really? Killua.my dear child.where are you?" King Shiruba sighed as he looked up at the cloudless sky.
* * *
Three days elapsed after we crossed the bridge and got ourselves lost amidst the gigantic forest. All we saw were squirrels, rabbits, trees, and flowers. Not a single human soul seemed to exist in the forest beside the four of us. The forest ended at a cliff and when we walked past the last pine tree, I was so excited I couldn't stop myself from shouting: "Quick, look over there!" The landscape at the end of the forest was such a spectacular sight that for a moment, I could not help but wonder if we had arrived in paradise. In front of us was an enormous mountain that was so high its peak could touch the bottom of the sky. In the heart of the vast piece of land sitting at the bottom of the mountain, there lied a village which houses were arranged in the shape of a crescent. All the houses were painted in one of the seven colors of a rainbow and together they formed a rainbow.
"Wow.it would be a good place to gather information, don't you think?" I asked but other thoughts seemed to be on their minds.
"Warm bed!" Killua said.
"Food!" Leorio grinned.
"A nice bath." Kurapika thought aloud.
A big sweat drop appeared on my cheek, just like this: ^_^!
However, the moment we arrived at the village, people started screaming and running into their houses. Interestingly, there wasn't a sound of doors banging.
"Ghost! Ghost!" was all the "welcome" we heard.
"What's happening to these people here? Kurapika, is this typical of the Panorians?" Leorio asked.
"Not that I've read or heard of.no. Something's strange".
And then, a middle-aged woman suddenly rushed toward me and held me tight in her arms. "Er.Eron! Oh my dear child you're back!" I tried to struggle free but the woman would not let her arms off me.
"Ex.excuse me, madam, but.but I'm not Eron!" I tried to tell her but she did not seem to have listened to what I said. A few seconds later, a man emerged from one of the houses and ordered: "Elena! Stop this! He's not Eron. Eron's already dead!" He then released me from the woman's firm grasp. I was almost dying of suffocation.
"I'm sorry but my wife is out of her mind ever since the death of our son Eron a few months ago. My name is Pazu and she's my wife Elena. You're foreigners, aren't you?"
I nodded.
"You really look like our Eron. What is your name?"
"Gon!" I said cheerfully, "and this is Leorio, Kurapika, and Killua".
"Ah, nice to meet you all", Mr. Pazu was still smiling. "Would you like to come to our house and have some tea?"
"It's our pleasure!" I said eagerly and followed the couple. Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika were stunned by what happened but they also followed the couple quietly, though not without caution.
The moment we set foot in the little village house, a series of strange things happened. First, the door opened itself when Mr. Pazu put his hand near it. Then, at the push of a button, a strange robot rose from the ground to collect all our shoes and it sank back into the ground again. Next, when we all sat ourselves on the chair, the chairs adjusted themselves so that the height of the table suited every single one of us. After that, spoons, forks, cups, and plates emerged from the table, followed by tea and coffee and an impressive chocolate cake. It was all like a dream and I'm sure every one of us are shocked, even the intelligent and knowledgeable Kurapika.
"Mr. Pazu", Kurapika began, "I've long heard of the renowned technology of the Panorians but I have never imagined it could be this advance".
"Mr. Kurapika, oh, you mean these? They're nothing. You see, they're just tools to help out with our daily lives. The real things.the real wisdom we had were all destroyed".
"Mr. Pazu, what exactly happened? Do you know?"
"I'm not sure, Mr. Kurapika, you see since that happened a long time ago, but I've heard it was something to do with winter, an eternal winter".
"Winter?" I asked, suddenly feeling a chill up my spine. For the last three nights, I have a strange dream. In my dream, I saw the whole Dentora covered with snow and ice. All the people turned into living statues beneath the thick layers of ice. Nothing could melt the ice, not fire, not heat, nothing.
"That's right. When I was young, there was an old lady in the forest up the cliff who told us stories about a never-ending winter that destroyed everything. However, the words of the women could not be taken too seriously because everybody called her a witch and it seemed she was some kind of lunatic".
"Where's the old lady now?" Leorio asked.
"She's dead or more accurately, vanished. It's more than thirty years now.I was still a kid then when all that happened." Mr. Pazu suddenly became very silent and looked down. He was a man who must be only in his late thirties or early forties but most of his hair had turned white. It seemed he had gone through a lot but that would not be surprising considering the fact that he just lost his son a few months ago and his wife was in such a mental state.
"Mr. Pazu, do you know about the flower Memalia?" Killua asked quite unexpectedly, breaking the silence.
"Memalia? Of course I know about it, but why are you asking?"
"Because we wanted to get Memalia."
"To what!? Mr. Pazu suddenly jumped up." "To get the flower Memalia". I repeated.
"Are you out of your mind? No one can ever get Memalia now!" Mr. Pazu almost sounded hysterical.
"But why?" I asked innocently.
"Because of the monster on the mountain. Surely you've heard even if you came from the outer world."
"We have heard of the monster", I replied "but we only want Memalia, we are not going to disturb the monster."
"Ha ha ha!" Mr. Pazu burst into laughter. "You think you can get Memalia without disturbing the monster?"
"Why not?" I asked without thinking.
"Because Memalia is the monster! To be a little more precise, anything on the top of that mountain belongs to the monster and anyone who approaches the top of the mountain will die a terrible death.just." Tears began to roll down the pale and weary cheeks of Mr. Pazu. "just.just like my son".
"I'm sorry". I said, my heart broken by the painful tears of a loving father. I wonder if I die, will my father also cry and be upset like this?
Then, Mr. Pazu looked at me, with tears in his eyes, and said: "Promise me, don't go near the mountain". He said. Although he was looking at me, it seemed it was to his son that he was speaking.
"Thank you, Mr. Pazu, for your advice" I said in a small and trembling voice, partly because it was hard to refuse a request from such a sincere man, and partly because there was fear creeping in my heart. "But Mr. Pazu, I cannot make that promise. We'll have to go to the mountain because my friend needs Memalia to gain back the memories he lost. Am I right guys?"
"Absolutely!" Leorio nodded. "I agree." Kurapika said. Killua did not say anything. He just looked at me with his large, beautiful eyes that are clear --- like crystals.
"In that case," Mr. Pazu said, "at least wait until tomorrow. You all looked quite tired. I'll make you a warm and hearty meal tonight and then you can have a nice rest."
To that suggestion, of course, there was no objection because it was true that all of us were tired from the journey. That night, I could not sleep. I sat on the doorsteps staring at the starless sky. Many thoughts flashed across my mind.thoughts about my father, Aunt Mito, my village, and the monster awaiting us at the mountain. Suddenly, I thought I saw a shadow lurking in the darkness, behind the bushes.
"Who's there?" I shouted "but there was no response. "I dashed toward the dark figure and with incredible swiftness, caught hold of the arm of the mysterious figure. Under the moonlight sky, I saw the face. It was the face of Killua.
"Killua!" I exclaimed, "What are you doing here?" When I saw his bag, it became clear.
"Let go of me!" He shouted. "Why! There's no point for you all to risk your lives for me".
"What are you saying?" I asked.
"Gon, haven't you heard what Mr. Pazu said this morning? Anyone who goes near that mountain will die. It's my fault that I lost my memories. As Kurapika said, I lost them because I didn't want to remember them. So why do you all still have to risk your lives for me?" Killua said in a tremulous voice. I looked at his eyes, his face, and the sparks of light on his cheeks. He was crying.
I embraced him with my childish arms, rest his head on my shoulder, and spoke in a soft and soothing voice: "Because we are friends. Killua, memories are not always pleasant. I also have painful memories that I long to forget. However, it's both pleasant and unpleasant memories that make us complete. It's memories that shape who we were, who we are, and who we will be. I believe it's worth all the risks on Earth to help you regain your memory and I'm sure I will not regret that."
I released my arms and once again looked at those lovely eyes. Although they were still wet with tears, they no longer have the sadness as when I first perceived them.
"Shall we go?" I asked.
Killua nodded with a smile and the two of us headed back to our rooms.
VOLUME I: THE BOOK OF PROPHECIES ** Chapter IV --- The Rainbow Crescent **
From the memory crystal of Gon
While we were still searching for the flower Memalia, in Dentora.
".and your majesty, on the issue of the marriage between Prince Killua and Princess Ertwin."
"Mr. Hisoka, but I think on a matter as serious as marriage, it will be better for my son to make the final decision and since I have sent him on a special mission, let's discuss the issue upon his return".
"Your majesty, could you provide an estimate of when Prince Killua will return so that I can report to King Netero?"
"I'm afraid I can't".
"But your majesty, the marriage is a symbol of the good relationship between Platora and Dentora and I'm quite certain Prince Killua will agree."
"It's interesting, Mr. Hisoka, that you think you can read my son's mind but still it's in our best interest to wait for the return of my son before we proceed any further on the issue."
"I understand, your majesty. I'll inform King Netero of your intentions".
"Kaito", King Shiruba summoned the young General of the Army at the departure of Hisoka, "immediately impose the orange level alert".
"King Shiruba!"
"I've no doubt about it. That young bastard Kuroro already knew the disappearance of Killua and all he wants now is an excuse for war. I'll teach him a good lesson! By the way, have you had any information about Killua?"
"I am very sorry, your majesty, but no one has heard anything about Prince Killua".
"Really? Killua.my dear child.where are you?" King Shiruba sighed as he looked up at the cloudless sky.
* * *
Three days elapsed after we crossed the bridge and got ourselves lost amidst the gigantic forest. All we saw were squirrels, rabbits, trees, and flowers. Not a single human soul seemed to exist in the forest beside the four of us. The forest ended at a cliff and when we walked past the last pine tree, I was so excited I couldn't stop myself from shouting: "Quick, look over there!" The landscape at the end of the forest was such a spectacular sight that for a moment, I could not help but wonder if we had arrived in paradise. In front of us was an enormous mountain that was so high its peak could touch the bottom of the sky. In the heart of the vast piece of land sitting at the bottom of the mountain, there lied a village which houses were arranged in the shape of a crescent. All the houses were painted in one of the seven colors of a rainbow and together they formed a rainbow.
"Wow.it would be a good place to gather information, don't you think?" I asked but other thoughts seemed to be on their minds.
"Warm bed!" Killua said.
"Food!" Leorio grinned.
"A nice bath." Kurapika thought aloud.
A big sweat drop appeared on my cheek, just like this: ^_^!
However, the moment we arrived at the village, people started screaming and running into their houses. Interestingly, there wasn't a sound of doors banging.
"Ghost! Ghost!" was all the "welcome" we heard.
"What's happening to these people here? Kurapika, is this typical of the Panorians?" Leorio asked.
"Not that I've read or heard of.no. Something's strange".
And then, a middle-aged woman suddenly rushed toward me and held me tight in her arms. "Er.Eron! Oh my dear child you're back!" I tried to struggle free but the woman would not let her arms off me.
"Ex.excuse me, madam, but.but I'm not Eron!" I tried to tell her but she did not seem to have listened to what I said. A few seconds later, a man emerged from one of the houses and ordered: "Elena! Stop this! He's not Eron. Eron's already dead!" He then released me from the woman's firm grasp. I was almost dying of suffocation.
"I'm sorry but my wife is out of her mind ever since the death of our son Eron a few months ago. My name is Pazu and she's my wife Elena. You're foreigners, aren't you?"
I nodded.
"You really look like our Eron. What is your name?"
"Gon!" I said cheerfully, "and this is Leorio, Kurapika, and Killua".
"Ah, nice to meet you all", Mr. Pazu was still smiling. "Would you like to come to our house and have some tea?"
"It's our pleasure!" I said eagerly and followed the couple. Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika were stunned by what happened but they also followed the couple quietly, though not without caution.
The moment we set foot in the little village house, a series of strange things happened. First, the door opened itself when Mr. Pazu put his hand near it. Then, at the push of a button, a strange robot rose from the ground to collect all our shoes and it sank back into the ground again. Next, when we all sat ourselves on the chair, the chairs adjusted themselves so that the height of the table suited every single one of us. After that, spoons, forks, cups, and plates emerged from the table, followed by tea and coffee and an impressive chocolate cake. It was all like a dream and I'm sure every one of us are shocked, even the intelligent and knowledgeable Kurapika.
"Mr. Pazu", Kurapika began, "I've long heard of the renowned technology of the Panorians but I have never imagined it could be this advance".
"Mr. Kurapika, oh, you mean these? They're nothing. You see, they're just tools to help out with our daily lives. The real things.the real wisdom we had were all destroyed".
"Mr. Pazu, what exactly happened? Do you know?"
"I'm not sure, Mr. Kurapika, you see since that happened a long time ago, but I've heard it was something to do with winter, an eternal winter".
"Winter?" I asked, suddenly feeling a chill up my spine. For the last three nights, I have a strange dream. In my dream, I saw the whole Dentora covered with snow and ice. All the people turned into living statues beneath the thick layers of ice. Nothing could melt the ice, not fire, not heat, nothing.
"That's right. When I was young, there was an old lady in the forest up the cliff who told us stories about a never-ending winter that destroyed everything. However, the words of the women could not be taken too seriously because everybody called her a witch and it seemed she was some kind of lunatic".
"Where's the old lady now?" Leorio asked.
"She's dead or more accurately, vanished. It's more than thirty years now.I was still a kid then when all that happened." Mr. Pazu suddenly became very silent and looked down. He was a man who must be only in his late thirties or early forties but most of his hair had turned white. It seemed he had gone through a lot but that would not be surprising considering the fact that he just lost his son a few months ago and his wife was in such a mental state.
"Mr. Pazu, do you know about the flower Memalia?" Killua asked quite unexpectedly, breaking the silence.
"Memalia? Of course I know about it, but why are you asking?"
"Because we wanted to get Memalia."
"To what!? Mr. Pazu suddenly jumped up." "To get the flower Memalia". I repeated.
"Are you out of your mind? No one can ever get Memalia now!" Mr. Pazu almost sounded hysterical.
"But why?" I asked innocently.
"Because of the monster on the mountain. Surely you've heard even if you came from the outer world."
"We have heard of the monster", I replied "but we only want Memalia, we are not going to disturb the monster."
"Ha ha ha!" Mr. Pazu burst into laughter. "You think you can get Memalia without disturbing the monster?"
"Why not?" I asked without thinking.
"Because Memalia is the monster! To be a little more precise, anything on the top of that mountain belongs to the monster and anyone who approaches the top of the mountain will die a terrible death.just." Tears began to roll down the pale and weary cheeks of Mr. Pazu. "just.just like my son".
"I'm sorry". I said, my heart broken by the painful tears of a loving father. I wonder if I die, will my father also cry and be upset like this?
Then, Mr. Pazu looked at me, with tears in his eyes, and said: "Promise me, don't go near the mountain". He said. Although he was looking at me, it seemed it was to his son that he was speaking.
"Thank you, Mr. Pazu, for your advice" I said in a small and trembling voice, partly because it was hard to refuse a request from such a sincere man, and partly because there was fear creeping in my heart. "But Mr. Pazu, I cannot make that promise. We'll have to go to the mountain because my friend needs Memalia to gain back the memories he lost. Am I right guys?"
"Absolutely!" Leorio nodded. "I agree." Kurapika said. Killua did not say anything. He just looked at me with his large, beautiful eyes that are clear --- like crystals.
"In that case," Mr. Pazu said, "at least wait until tomorrow. You all looked quite tired. I'll make you a warm and hearty meal tonight and then you can have a nice rest."
To that suggestion, of course, there was no objection because it was true that all of us were tired from the journey. That night, I could not sleep. I sat on the doorsteps staring at the starless sky. Many thoughts flashed across my mind.thoughts about my father, Aunt Mito, my village, and the monster awaiting us at the mountain. Suddenly, I thought I saw a shadow lurking in the darkness, behind the bushes.
"Who's there?" I shouted "but there was no response. "I dashed toward the dark figure and with incredible swiftness, caught hold of the arm of the mysterious figure. Under the moonlight sky, I saw the face. It was the face of Killua.
"Killua!" I exclaimed, "What are you doing here?" When I saw his bag, it became clear.
"Let go of me!" He shouted. "Why! There's no point for you all to risk your lives for me".
"What are you saying?" I asked.
"Gon, haven't you heard what Mr. Pazu said this morning? Anyone who goes near that mountain will die. It's my fault that I lost my memories. As Kurapika said, I lost them because I didn't want to remember them. So why do you all still have to risk your lives for me?" Killua said in a tremulous voice. I looked at his eyes, his face, and the sparks of light on his cheeks. He was crying.
I embraced him with my childish arms, rest his head on my shoulder, and spoke in a soft and soothing voice: "Because we are friends. Killua, memories are not always pleasant. I also have painful memories that I long to forget. However, it's both pleasant and unpleasant memories that make us complete. It's memories that shape who we were, who we are, and who we will be. I believe it's worth all the risks on Earth to help you regain your memory and I'm sure I will not regret that."
I released my arms and once again looked at those lovely eyes. Although they were still wet with tears, they no longer have the sadness as when I first perceived them.
"Shall we go?" I asked.
Killua nodded with a smile and the two of us headed back to our rooms.
