Warning: Obviously, in order to fit a different character into this scene,
it was necessary to change the way the fights were arranged a little bit.
Also, this does not go over every individual's battle. If you are
interested in that, read the manga.
The Final Test
She lay on her bunk late into the night when the ship reached port. Early the next morning the candidates were ushered back onto the exam committee airship. They were being transported back to Zaban for the final test and the end of the exam.
The committee president summoned each person to his office for an interview.
"Kassari Maslou, #346, please report to the reception room." Kassari had been the third person called for an interview.
"So why do you want to be a hunter?"
"It is required by my family to gain my independence. However, more than that, I wish to study art and find rare treasures and fine specimens, forgotten in time. I find beautiful and unusual treasures fascinating. The history, the creation, the hunt to find these pieces, it all excites me."
"I see. So who would you be interested in fighting?" The president wrote some notes onto a pad of paper, never looking her in the face, like some old fashioned psychologist.
"All of the candidates at this level are elite; any of them would provide a challenge. Then one that I would like to challenge is #405, though. He is different and it intrigues me to see what he will do." Kassari smiled slightly.
"Who would you not want to fight?"
Brows drawing together, Kassari answered without hesitation, "#44, Hisoka. I fought him a few days ago and I need to improve greatly before facing him again."
"Very good. That is all." The president waved her out of the room and motioned for his secretary to call the next candidate.
Upon reaching Zaban, the members of the committee and the competitors gathered in a large gymnasium. It was explained that the candidates would fight one another in individual combat. The winner of each match would become a hunter; while the loser must go on to fight again, until only one person remained. That person would not become a hunter.
Gon and #294 were the first two to fight. Gon was no match for the shinobi; in the physical confrontation, #294 broke Gon's arm in an attempt to make him relent. Seeing that Gon had no fear or hate, just incredible determination, #294 was forced to relent, as the rules did not allow killing. Gon did not want to accept a victory won in this fashion and #294 was forced to knock him out.
Kassari was scheduled to fight against #191. He was an excellent fighter in perfect condition. His skills in martial arts were considered top- notch. He strode into the fighting area with confidence. A smirk on his face, his entire person radiated thoughts of an easy victory.
Kassari glided into the ring, graceful and fragile looking. She had formed a plan she hoped would work. The start signal was thrown and #191 assumed a fighting stance. Kassari seemed inattentive, standing like a stone. She has started to cautiously probe the other's mind. #191 was not expecting an internal attack and had no defense for one. His mind had no shields at all. He was nothing like Hisoka who had incredibly strong control and could fight back.
As Kassari continued standing there, #191 started to become annoyed, the judges and other candidates whispered and twittered. The tension grew and #191 forced an attack. Running at Kassari, he was very fast but the real battle had been triggered. He fell to the floor, clutching his head, body spasmed in pain. Horrendous nightmares flooding his mind while his skin itched and burned as if a thousand fire ants were biting him.
The onlookers gasped in surprise. Continuing to stand were she had planted herself, Kassari looked without seeing his physical form, piercing deep into the mind of her victim. She broke through the chaos she had created with one bright, shining light, a path out of the pain and torment. "Surrender the fight and this will end. Your pain will stop, your nightmares will stop. Just surrender to me." The one clear, sweet voice in his head, called to him through the madness, bid him seductively.
The pain was gradually becoming worse, he watched himself be killed in graphic, violent methods. The pain made each experience seem real. He could not stand much more. Feeling his arms and legs ripped from his body as he was dismembered, feeling his back break as he was buried in falling boulders; the scenes went on through his mind, faster and faster, until he was screaming in agony, verging on insanity. The hand in the light was the way out of the evil, he grasped for it, surrendered to it, let it draw him out of hell.
As he lay on the floor, the observers saw him shudder and hold out his hand, his torment etched on his face, "Please, help me. I surrender." He gasped out, the words almost impossible to understand.
Kassari moved then and kneeled next to him, taking his hand in hers. "It is over."
He collapsed, eyes closed, body shaking and slowly becoming quiet.
"The winner of this match is Kassari Maslou, #346." Announced the committee president. One of the moderators stepped forward to assist #191 away and check his medical condition.
"I don't get it, she never even touched him." Leorio remarked to Kurapika.
"Why bother, it would be extra effort." Kurapika answered.
Hisoka and Illumi were standing at the opposite end of the room. Illumi appeared agitated and Hisoka looked pleased, as if he knew something no one else could comprehend.
Kassari closed her eyes briefly, releasing the negative energy she had been forced to manipulate and then walked to the corner of the room. Damaging another's mind in that way always made her feel contaminated and evil.
She could recognize that her long quest was finally over. She was now free to determine her own life. Well, with the small exception of Hisoka. No attending boring court dinners or balls, no having to attend her oldest brother hand and foot, no more 12 hours lessons on etiquette or listening to simpering couturiers. She would finally be able to travel the world and explore life without having every minute of her day scheduled and accounted for.
She turned around, face set in an impassive mask. 'Hurting someone so ruthlessly, is something that many members of my family do on a regular basis, but I never wanted to pursue the path of the warrior, assassin or spy as many of my cousins have. Faithfully serving the crown, going about assigned duties with not thoughts to disobey. Fortunately, I can at least claim one small shred of honor for them; they never take up contracts that involve innocent people. Enemies of the state and criminals yes, often, but no one who has not been found guilty of a crime. At least now I am free to determine my own path.'
Kassari was disgusted with the violence around her and what she had dealt with in the past few days. She really wanted a hot bath, decent food and to rest. However, one small issue needed her attention before she left. She had nothing to do until orientation in a few days and wanted to find a hotel. Silently walking back into the group watching the next fight, she slid a card into Hisoka's hand and slipped away.
The Final Test
She lay on her bunk late into the night when the ship reached port. Early the next morning the candidates were ushered back onto the exam committee airship. They were being transported back to Zaban for the final test and the end of the exam.
The committee president summoned each person to his office for an interview.
"Kassari Maslou, #346, please report to the reception room." Kassari had been the third person called for an interview.
"So why do you want to be a hunter?"
"It is required by my family to gain my independence. However, more than that, I wish to study art and find rare treasures and fine specimens, forgotten in time. I find beautiful and unusual treasures fascinating. The history, the creation, the hunt to find these pieces, it all excites me."
"I see. So who would you be interested in fighting?" The president wrote some notes onto a pad of paper, never looking her in the face, like some old fashioned psychologist.
"All of the candidates at this level are elite; any of them would provide a challenge. Then one that I would like to challenge is #405, though. He is different and it intrigues me to see what he will do." Kassari smiled slightly.
"Who would you not want to fight?"
Brows drawing together, Kassari answered without hesitation, "#44, Hisoka. I fought him a few days ago and I need to improve greatly before facing him again."
"Very good. That is all." The president waved her out of the room and motioned for his secretary to call the next candidate.
Upon reaching Zaban, the members of the committee and the competitors gathered in a large gymnasium. It was explained that the candidates would fight one another in individual combat. The winner of each match would become a hunter; while the loser must go on to fight again, until only one person remained. That person would not become a hunter.
Gon and #294 were the first two to fight. Gon was no match for the shinobi; in the physical confrontation, #294 broke Gon's arm in an attempt to make him relent. Seeing that Gon had no fear or hate, just incredible determination, #294 was forced to relent, as the rules did not allow killing. Gon did not want to accept a victory won in this fashion and #294 was forced to knock him out.
Kassari was scheduled to fight against #191. He was an excellent fighter in perfect condition. His skills in martial arts were considered top- notch. He strode into the fighting area with confidence. A smirk on his face, his entire person radiated thoughts of an easy victory.
Kassari glided into the ring, graceful and fragile looking. She had formed a plan she hoped would work. The start signal was thrown and #191 assumed a fighting stance. Kassari seemed inattentive, standing like a stone. She has started to cautiously probe the other's mind. #191 was not expecting an internal attack and had no defense for one. His mind had no shields at all. He was nothing like Hisoka who had incredibly strong control and could fight back.
As Kassari continued standing there, #191 started to become annoyed, the judges and other candidates whispered and twittered. The tension grew and #191 forced an attack. Running at Kassari, he was very fast but the real battle had been triggered. He fell to the floor, clutching his head, body spasmed in pain. Horrendous nightmares flooding his mind while his skin itched and burned as if a thousand fire ants were biting him.
The onlookers gasped in surprise. Continuing to stand were she had planted herself, Kassari looked without seeing his physical form, piercing deep into the mind of her victim. She broke through the chaos she had created with one bright, shining light, a path out of the pain and torment. "Surrender the fight and this will end. Your pain will stop, your nightmares will stop. Just surrender to me." The one clear, sweet voice in his head, called to him through the madness, bid him seductively.
The pain was gradually becoming worse, he watched himself be killed in graphic, violent methods. The pain made each experience seem real. He could not stand much more. Feeling his arms and legs ripped from his body as he was dismembered, feeling his back break as he was buried in falling boulders; the scenes went on through his mind, faster and faster, until he was screaming in agony, verging on insanity. The hand in the light was the way out of the evil, he grasped for it, surrendered to it, let it draw him out of hell.
As he lay on the floor, the observers saw him shudder and hold out his hand, his torment etched on his face, "Please, help me. I surrender." He gasped out, the words almost impossible to understand.
Kassari moved then and kneeled next to him, taking his hand in hers. "It is over."
He collapsed, eyes closed, body shaking and slowly becoming quiet.
"The winner of this match is Kassari Maslou, #346." Announced the committee president. One of the moderators stepped forward to assist #191 away and check his medical condition.
"I don't get it, she never even touched him." Leorio remarked to Kurapika.
"Why bother, it would be extra effort." Kurapika answered.
Hisoka and Illumi were standing at the opposite end of the room. Illumi appeared agitated and Hisoka looked pleased, as if he knew something no one else could comprehend.
Kassari closed her eyes briefly, releasing the negative energy she had been forced to manipulate and then walked to the corner of the room. Damaging another's mind in that way always made her feel contaminated and evil.
She could recognize that her long quest was finally over. She was now free to determine her own life. Well, with the small exception of Hisoka. No attending boring court dinners or balls, no having to attend her oldest brother hand and foot, no more 12 hours lessons on etiquette or listening to simpering couturiers. She would finally be able to travel the world and explore life without having every minute of her day scheduled and accounted for.
She turned around, face set in an impassive mask. 'Hurting someone so ruthlessly, is something that many members of my family do on a regular basis, but I never wanted to pursue the path of the warrior, assassin or spy as many of my cousins have. Faithfully serving the crown, going about assigned duties with not thoughts to disobey. Fortunately, I can at least claim one small shred of honor for them; they never take up contracts that involve innocent people. Enemies of the state and criminals yes, often, but no one who has not been found guilty of a crime. At least now I am free to determine my own path.'
Kassari was disgusted with the violence around her and what she had dealt with in the past few days. She really wanted a hot bath, decent food and to rest. However, one small issue needed her attention before she left. She had nothing to do until orientation in a few days and wanted to find a hotel. Silently walking back into the group watching the next fight, she slid a card into Hisoka's hand and slipped away.