"Alright, now… just be cool okay?" Zushi all but whimpered.

Killua quirked an eyebrow, still not liking Zushi all that much. He had been able to stand his ground during the interrogation, though. So at least he had that going for him.

It had been about an hour walk through Yorknew, which was annoying. Zushi had said he was helping them, yet had wasted an entire hour of their time. Now Gon and Killua only had 22 hours to figure this out. It was giving the Valkyrie anxiety, he had to admit.

Why'd that damned pedo have to step in and fuck everything up?!

Anyways, Zushi had led the two of them to a half-sketchy half-okay apartment complex in the middle of freaking nowhere. Cities were so damned annoying, Killua had a good sense of direction but there was just so much shit around that he had no idea where he was. It was a good thing they had bought those cell phone things, Gon and Killua would have to use the gps to get home.

"What, are we not 'cool' enough for your master or something?" Killua retorted, choosing the asshole route as usual. He got an elbow from Gon, but that wasn't gonna stop him from being a jerk to this third wheel Cryptid dude.

"No! No! Not at all!" Zushi's floundering gave Killua pleasure. "It's just that Mr. Wing - my master, as I'm sure you're already aware - but like… he doesn't exactly know that you guys are coming, and he probably won't be very happy."

"Do you not have a phone?" Gon asked. He really didn't have any place asking a question like that, because he was so unnaturally good at losing and forgetting his own.

"Makes sense why this Weed dude's gonna be mad," the Valkyrie sighed. "I mean, you did say that you're breaking a ton of important rules by telling us about this magic stuff."

"Uh, no, I don't have a phone. And his name is Wing," Zushi said, frowning at the silver haired trouble maker. "And… yeah, that's why he'll be mad." The Cryptid squirmed a bit, still not having led his taller companions up the steps.

"Don't listen to Killua, Zushi, he's just being a jerk!" Gon reassured, jostling the shorter male's shoulder. Killua rolled his eyes. "I'm sure it'll be fine! If Wing is mad at you then I'll take responsibility!" the hybrid declared.

The Valkyrie sighed.

You're really too nice, Gon.

"No, I can't let you do anything like that," Zushi protested. "This is all on me. But he'll help you guys! I just know it!"

"You think or you know?" Killua grunted.

The brunette visibly deflated. "I uh… sort of know."

Gon glared at Killua, and the Valkyrie made a cat-like face in return.

"Come on, Zushi! We're right here with you!" the horned boy cheered, trying to be encouraging.

"That's exactly what I'm worried about," the dog-boy whined. "Okay, come on guys." He led Gon and Killua around the side of the building, and from there up a zig-zagging metal staircase. Zushi's tail was sagging almost between his legs, and his ears kept twitching nervously.

Come on, man. At least control your features a little bit.

My tail has a mind of its own, but this is just sad.

They climbed half way up the building, before Zushi finally stopped on one of the landings and took a deep breath. He walked up to a door with faded white paint and a dying at the step.

"Here we are," he mumbled, before knocking on the door and walking right in. Gon and Killua followed, looking about. The Valkyrie was glad to be out of the sun, and shook his head about in a cat-like fashion. It was a rude gesture, and that's exactly why he didn't suppress it.

Gon glared at Killua, who faked innocence.

"Mr. Wing! I'm back!" Zushi called to the inner rooms of the messy apartment.

The hybrid and the Valkyrie stood by the door as the Cryptid darted around the room, tidying up and tossing random objects under the couch. It was a small apartment, with the main space consisting of a living room furnished with a tacky, maroon couch made out of corduroy fabric. The floors were carpeted in green for some reason, with a sandy colored tile right by the door and in the kitchen, which was directly forward from the door. The blinds closed and patterned curtains drawn, and the lighting was murky yet cozy.

Gon clearly liked it well enough, but Killua was not enjoying the messy state of the place and the persistent scent of unwashed laundry.

"Oh! Welcome back, Zushi! Just give me a moment," came a voice echoing from the depths of the apartment. The Cryptid looked like he was regretting all of his life decisions right about then, and hurriedly beckoned Gon and Killua to stand in a line with him in front of the doorway to the small (and very messy) kitchen.

Killua shared a glance with Gon, who gave him a winning grin. The hybrid was quite optimistic about this, wasn't he?

The Valkyrie gave his tail a little swish.

I think I'll fuck up the bow on purpose.

The hybrid narrowed his eyes slightly.

Killua. No.

The boy in question blinked twice.

Says who?

Gon raised a single eyebrow.

Me.

Fuck. That was hot–

The Valkyrie sighed through his nose and turned away.

Fineeee.

Gon brushed their shoulders together.

Good boy!

Killua rolled his eyes where Gon couldn't see. He acted impassive and annoyed, but these silent conversations meant the world to him. He loved how transparent he could be with this boy.

The irony was striking though.

A messy looking Vampire-human hybrid walked through the doorway to the kitchen. He had a tousled black bedhead with an awful center part and an untucked and wrinkled shirt. He was hardly taller than Killua, and a single fang peeked out from his mouth (as a hybrid Vampire he only had one, it was on the left). His skin wasn't pale as a corpse - he had a bit of color to him - but he still possessed that skin and bones build all Vampire's did.

"I'm glad you're back, Zushi, what took you so long–"

Wing froze, looking from Zushi, to Gon and Killua, and then back to Zushi again.

"Master Wing I would like to introduce Gon and Killua!" the Cryptid announced in a rush, bowing his head with the other two following his lead.

The Vampire-hybrid stood in silence, mouth hanging open in shock. Zushi stayed in his bow, eyes squeezed shut tight. He was even trembling a little.

"Zushi."

With an inaudible whimper, the dog-boy straightened. Gon and Killua did so after he did, in practiced synchronicity.

"I know what you're going to say!"

"As you should!" the older man snapped, eyes flashing. He had heterochromic eyes, with the left one a vampiric red and the right a deep brown. His black brows were furrowed, he clearly did not take well to surprises. Or breaches of tradition, for that matter.

"Master, I ask you to train Gon and Killua in Blood Magic!" the brunette pleaded.

"You told them?!" Wing exclaimed, voice cracking.

"Yes! I did tell them!" the Cryptid yelled back, standing tall. Killua knew that this was big for Zushi, and even though he thought this display was lightweight and kinda sad, he had to acknowledge the younger boy for stepping up like this. "And I have good reason! Gon and Killua were confronted by a Master Blood Magic user, and were exposed to a raw display of power! They were in a dangerous situation, and as it stands are unable to continue in the Arena until they are Awakened! I could not stand by and watch them walk into this dangerous world and certain death, so I followed my gut and stepped in to help them! Master, I know I acted out of turn, but I'm telling you that you have to train Gon and Killua!" He paused for a second. "Please!"

The Vampire-hybrid pinched the bridge of his nose and stuck his leg out. He moaned dramatically, clearly stressed out of his mind. With a loud sigh of finality, the man straightened himself, having regained his composure.

He looked Gon and Killua up and down. "You two are Gon and Killua?" he asked, still sounding unsure and mildly annoyed.

"Yes!" Gon exclaimed. "I'm Gon!"

"And I'm Killua," the Valkyrie drawled.

The Vampire-hybrid nodded. "Yes indeed. I've watched some of your battles, and I commend you on your impressive rise in the Arena. Tell me, who was it that exposed you to Blood Magic."

"A man named Hisoka," Gon said, voice serious and unreadable.

Wing narrowed his eyes, before nodding. "I do not know him, but I do know vaguely of him, if only through the Arena database. I apologize on his behalf for this breach of the Sorcerer's Code."

"Whatever, you can't really apologize if we have no idea what it's about," Killua grunted. He could feel Gon's warning side glance, but he ignored it. If he wanted to be a shithead then he was gonna be a shithead. Fuck "respecting your superiors" and garbage. Killua was a Valkyrie! He didn't do all that shit. He'd respect someone if they earned it.

The vampiric man furrowed his brow, clearly taking Gon and Killua in. He was inspecting them, deciding if they were made of the right material.

That ticked Killua off.

"Listen up, old man," he began, earning glances from both Gon and Zushi this time. "You can act macho and mysterious all you want. But not with me and Gon. Sorry to step all over your 'beliefs' or whatever, but we don't care about your morals or how all this 'new world of power' stuff works. What we care about is that Hisoka is blocking our path, and we need to get past him. So we can either learn this Blood Magic stuff from you, or we'll figure it out on our own. Make your choice."

Wing full out glared at him, and Killua had to admit that it sent a chill up his spine.

He had a pretty impressive presence going for him.

The older man backed down, maybe from Killua's imposing Valkyrie aura or maybe from his threatening speech and glare. Probably a combination of the two. Wing rubbed his face with his hands, clearly exasperated and more than a little ticked off.

"Alright. I can clearly see that you are completely serious about learning this on your own. Blood Magic is dangerous… and as much as I was not asking for two more students, I cannot stand by and let the two of you walk into something you are completely unprepared for. So I will train the two of you, however, before you agree to anything, allow me to explain just what Blood Magic is and give a bit of history."

Gon and Killua blinked, surprised that he had agreed so willingly after that blatantly disrespectful speech from the Valkyrie. That had worked pretty well, Killua had to say!

"Come," Wing said, leading the three boys to the living room. He sat in a reclining chair, and Zushi, Gon, and Killua sat in a neat line on the couch. "Zushi, you know all of this already, but since you brought these two here you'll be along for the ride."

"Osu!" the Cryptid declared, wagging his tail in relief about how all that had gone over.

"Now then. Where shall I begin?"

Killua shared a glance with Gon, who looked like a kid receiving story time from his parents. The Valkyrie couldn't help but feel that he was about to be bombarded with knowledge, and that he was about to get himself and Gon into something incredibly big.

"Sorcery isn't just plain magic," Wing began. "It is a power dictated by blood. As the two of you already know, our society is ruled by our blood and the hierarchy built within it. Those with stronger blood stand above the weak in every way and form, and it does not matter how strong of a fighter you are if your opponent possesses a superior aura. However, as you also know, that hierarchy can be cheated if one undergoes intensive training to resist the onset of an opposing aura.

"Well, in a way, Blood Magic is that aura resistance heightened to an extreme. Time for a history lesson. Humans are widely known as the weakest beings, the lowest on the hierarchy. Humans have no special traits, and are incredibly weak and soft. They have no aura glands, and possess absolutely no means to defend themselves against opposing aura. They consider it an unfair gesture from nature, for humans can still sense threatening aura without possessing the aura glands to defend themselves from it. It is due to the power of their superiors.

"Hundreds of years ago, a group of humans got tired of being defenseless against the stronger humanoids. They wanted access to the aura defenses that they were, in their eyes, cheated out of. So they struck a dangerous deal.

"Blood Magic.. is Demonic in nature.

"The humans struck a deal with a group of Demons summoned from the depths of the Underworld. And in return for a payment we are unaware of to this day, the humans were gifted with access to a special art form: Sorcery. The Demons taught the humans how to conduct spells and rituals, and how to attain powers akin to aura.

"However, all Magic comes with a price. To power their spells, the humans needed fuel. Blood Magic is called Blood Magic because it is, as I have said, powered by blood. So in order to even the playing field, the humans killed and extracted the blood from their superior humanoids to power their spells and Sorcery. Demon Magic always comes with a hefty and violent price, and the Blood required for our Magic is a perfect show of that.

"With this newfound ability, the humans - the Sorcerers - rose to power and influence in the humanoid world. For a hundred years, they built a kingdom of wealth and comfort. They put themselves on the same level as the magical beasts around them, all built on the blood of those magical beasts themselves.

"As you can imagine, we humanoids did not take well to being overtaken by humans. The lower level humanoids that hadn't had much status above the humans in the first place took the hit the hardest. They were being hunted for their blood, and their aura no longer had any affect on the inferior species disrupting the hierarchy. Things had been done the same way since the beginning of time, and the humans were changing that with their Sorcery, with their Blood Magic.

"The humans, not wanting their power taken away, kept their Blood Magic mysterious and veiled in shadow. Sorcery attained negative connotations, and numerous rumors were spread about how Magic worked and what it actually was. This is where we get the confusion around Blood Magic and Sorcery and the Dark Arts themselves. For though they are all one in the same, the net of lies and decits used to conceal the truth back in the day have held strong.

"This did not work forever, though, because when humans started hunting down higher ranking humanoid blood, and as their Blood Magic started getting stronger for it, and now the higher ranking humanoids were getting restless as well. It was already annoying enough that some humanoids could cheat the aura system through intensive training. Now humans were making themselves equals by killing their superiors and stealing their blood.

"Naturally, humanoids started learning Blood Magic as well. This part of the history is shady and well debated, but all we know for sure is that over the next few hundred years, Blood Magic spread throughout the humanoid communities until it was common in all species. What had once been an integral part of human culture had become a cheat code accessible to all. The human's high ranking metropolises and communities were torn to the ground, and the humans were put back in their place, as the humanoids saw it.

"Now the humans were back on the bottom, but that did not stop human Sorcerers from existing. There were, and still are, powerful human Blood Magic wielders, and it is widely known that humans are always the most powerful Sorcerers. Is it due to the fact that it was humans and not humanoids that had made that initial deal with the Demons? That is one speculation, though there are others as well.

"Moving on, now that we have established how Blood Magic came to be, we must establish why it is so dangerous and so carefully concealed. After the fall of the humans, Blood Magic swept through humanoid society like wildfire, and the unspoken power made its way all the way to the top ranking species. Lower ranking species were enraged that higher ranking species - that did not even need the replacement for aura in the first place - had access to such power. For it was discovered that, if one already possessed a powerful blood, they could use their own blood to power the rituals and spells instead of stolen blood. As you can probably guess, this gave higher ranking humanoids an edge.

"However, the ease of one's use of Blood Magic does not change its power. And let me point out that if a high ranking humanoid has Blood Magic used against their plain aura, they will surely lose. Blood Magic is incredibly dangerous, and the highjacking of humanoids' blood makes the hierarchy nothing but empty threats and false senses of superiority.

"The higher ranking humanoids did not like this, and tensions rose at an alarming rate. Lower ranking humanoids hunted the higher ranking species for their blood, and the higher ranking humanoids fought back in an attempt to protect the lives of their innocent. The constant conflict and fast spreading of Blood Magic ability rose to a climax, and war broke out. The Blood Wars. They lasted for 200 years, and ended only 100 years ago.

"This brings us to modern times, where we have a Sorcerer's Code to keep Blood Magic on the down low. For the less humanoids that know of Blood Magic, the lesser the changes of The Second Blood Wars starting up. Tensions between higher and lower ranking humanoids are always strained, and when the hierarchy is interrupted by cheats like stealing blood, conflict always breaks out.

"Because of how dangerous this power is, it is taboo to fight an Unawakened one using Blood Magic, for that always sparks confusion. Aura is supposed to be the law of the land, and this Demonic power system has uprooted that age old system entirely. We always check a possible new Sorcerer to make sure that they are a good candidate for Blood Magic. Things must be done safely, or chaos will reign once again. Now tell me, are things starting to click for the two of you?"

Killua glanced over at Gon, who was steaming at the ears. The Valkyrie had to admit… that was a lot. "Yeah, actually. I've always known that people like to hunt higher ranking humanoids for their blood… but now that I think about it I've never actually known why. This makes that all make sense. Knov, the bastard. He always gave me shit about eating people, but here he was this whole time using the blood of dead humanoids to fuel his magic."

Wing nodded, "Yes, Blood Magic certainly makes for some interesting situations. Now, I want you to summarize what I've just told you. It is imperative that you have a reliable understanding of all this. It is in the Sorcerer's Code that all of the Awakened are aware of what this power has caused."

Gon whimpered, "You didn't tell me three was gonna be a test!"

Killua chuckled, patting his friend on the head. "It's alright, Gon. I'll handle this part." The silver haired boy sat forward to face Wing. He was confident in his understanding, and even had some assumptions and predictions that he wanted to bounce off the Vampire-hybrid. "Way long ago humans got sick of being on the bottom, so they struck a deal with Demons to give them power. That power is Blood Magic, and using it the humans became Sorcerers. Humanoids got pissed off that the lower humans were getting so strong, so they stole their power and put them back in their place. Then, naturally - cause we humanoids really can't share anything - the humanoids got pissed off that this power was still disrupting the hierarchy. And of course war happened, which was the Blood Wars. When the fighting ended, Blood Magic people went all underground and made a bunch of boring rules to try and prevent any further conflict. You got that, Gon?"

"Yeah!" the hybrid said, still looking like he was having trouble wrapping his head around all this, but at least it had all been summarized and put in terms he could understand. Killua smiled, a warm blanket of affection falling over him.

"Good," the Valkyrie didn't stop there, though. He needed to make sure that his understanding about this power was correct - as well as explain it to Gon. "And about Blood Magic itself. It's a magical power that is fueled by humanoid blood. The higher ranking the blood in question, the stronger the spells. That's why humanoids hunting is a thing. It's not inter-species terrorism, it's Sorcerers."

Killua said this in Wing's direction, and the man nodded.

The Valkyrie continued, "Any human or lower ranking humanoid that uses Blood Magic steals - or purchases - blood to power their spells, but humanoids that already have a high ranking blood use their own blood in the spells. I don't know how the blood is actually used, or even how the Magic works in the first place. However, based upon what you've been saying about those who've been "Awakened" or "Unawakened," as well as the involvement of Demons, there's some weird shit we're gonna have to do to get access to this."

Killua glanced at Gon, and the hybrid nodded. His brow was furrowed, but at least he was understanding all this mess. Killua then looked at Wing, who was giving him an expression of approval. Seems I got all that, and all of my assumptions and filling in the blanks were correct.

"Lovely," Wing said. "You just explained the entire next section of information in my place. Now that you already know the gist of Blood Magic, it is time I explained how it actually works. But before that, do the two of you still want to go through with this?" He fixed Gon and Killua with a deadly serious look. "Blood Magic is incredibly dangerous, in case you hadn't already noticed. You can still walk away now, but once I tell you this next set of information you will be locked in for good."

Killua didn't even need to look at Gon. He already knew they were on the same page.

"We're all in," the Valkyrie said.

Wing nodded. "Alright, allow me to continue my explanation. Blood Magic used blood as a fuel and aura as a conduit to cast powerful spells and release powerful energy. But not just anyone with aura can access these abilities. Let's put it this way: within you reside the components for a machine, but that machine must be constructed in order to access Blood Magic. This is what an Awakening does for us. You will be Awakened through a ritual that will prep your body and change it to turn you into a conduit for Magic. It is your own body that will be used for the Magic, so your body needs to be readied.

"Blood Magic was created for human use, so originally the Awakening ceremony was used to gift humans with aura. It is not a natural aura that they are given, and they do not attain aura glands through this. They do, however, attain the aura necessary to conduct Magic."

"That's why Hisoka has aura!" Gon shouted all of a sudden.

Wing nodded. "Correct. That is how some humans have aura. They are Sorcerers. Now then, because humanoids already have aura, the Awakening works a little differently on them. Rather than implanting aura, the ritual changes the nature of one's aura to make it conductible for Magic. Another thing the Awakening does is make Blood Magic visible to you. This power is invisible to anyone who is not Awakened, even though everyone can feel it."

"Then why could I see Knov's spells?" Killua retorted.

"That is a complicated explanation, and first I must explain how Magic actually works," Wing said patiently. The man left the room, and returned dragging in a whiteboard on wheels. He drew four symbols on the board. "Today will be your first training lesson, and because we only have 21 hours to get past Hisoka, we must begin immediately."

Gon and Killua nodded in unison.

"The first thing we will do is conduct your Awakening ceremony, opening your aura to Magic and changing the structure of your eyes and body to fully experience this Demonic power. But before we do any of that, I am going to explain to you what you will be learning under my tutelage, so you will understand what is happening and what you are experiencing once you are Awakened."

"So we're going on a trippy journey?" Killua snorted.

Wing frowned. "We are not doing drugs, but you will feel strangely during and after the Awakening. Now pay attention, because this information is important. There are four basic principles of Blood Magic: Ten, Ren, Zetsu, and Hatsu." He labeled each of the four symbols. "Ten is the most basic form of Blood Magic, and one utilizes Ten by focusing and building up the power in their blood. It is like plugging in a battery for charging. The moment you are Awakened, your Ten will begin automatically and you must learn to control it.

"Humanoids have an edge with Blood Magic and the Awakening due to the fact that we already have aura and do not need it implanted. However, that in itself is also a drawback. Because we already have aura, it is a part of our own body that we are changing, and the Demonic power is harder to control. Gon, it will be like your biochemical. Sometimes it activates on its own, yes?"

"Yeah," Gon said, voice unreadable.

"Aura will do the same thing. Because humanoids' aura is already ingrained into our bodies, we have more trouble controlling Blood Magic than humans do. Always remember that this is a power built for humans."

Gon and Killua nodded.

So it's like an extension of aura. It sounds to me like it makes your aura way more sensitive and unstable. This will be an interesting feeling. Based on what he is saying, I have a prediction that this will make my aura feel a lot different.

"The next basic principle, Ren, is the releasing of the power built up through Ten. It is like turning on a taser or a flamethrower. Ren is raw Blood power, and is used to counter and defend from more advanced attacks and abilities. It is not only a defense against another's Blood Magic, but also a weapon. Ren can be used to attack, and will affect anyone no matter if they are Awakened or not. This is why it is so dangerous to attack an Unawakened with Blood Magic. Without Ren, they have no natural defense and will be killed. Blood Magic is playing with fire, and as with all Demonic power, is the nuclear option. It brings our blood and aura to an extreme.

"Zetsu is the third principal, and is the cessation of flow of Magical power. Once you are Awakened, you Ten will always be on, whether you dampen it or not. And because your aura is used as a conduit, Blood Magic will always send off a signal. Zetsu disguises that signal and makes you invisible. It also doubles as a way to completely erase the presence of one's aura. Aura can always be sensed off someone, such is the nature of humanoids. Zetsu can be used to fool the Unawakened, it is an extreme version of concealing your presence."

Something clicked in Killua's mind. "Gon! Isolde!"

"What about her?" the hybrid asked, confused.

"Remember how she would always tail us? And she'd always conceal her presence but we could always sense her because we're higher ranked than she is?!"

"Yeah."

"And remember when we were in the underground tunnels? And Isolde was following us and we didn't sense her at all?!"

"Yeah!"

"We thought she had been pretending to suck at concealing presence to be able to trick us later, but she must have been using Zetsu!"

"Oh my gods you're completely right!" the hybrid shrieked.

Wing chuckled, watching these boys catch on so quickly was as impressive as it was unnerving. "You are correct. I do not know the context of that story, but from what I have heard you were most definitely in the hands of Zetsu."

"Stupid hags! They were Sorcerers the whole time and didn't say anything! Half of them were way stronger than us and we didn't even know it!" Killua complained.

"Yeah, now I'm looking back on all that in a whole new light," Gon sighed, starting to steam at the ears again.

"Yes, the entire world will begin to take on a new meaning," Wing agreed. "The fourth and final principal of Blood Magic is Hatsu, which is the refined form of Ren. Hatsu consists of specialized spells, and a Sorcerer's personal brand of Magic. I am only a first stage trainer, and I am only permitted to teach the basics. So I will only be teaching you Ten, Ren, and Zetsu. Your Hatsu training will come later."

Killua frowned. "If we're only learning simple stuff, then how are we supposed to make it through the rest of the Arena? If from now on every single opponent will be skilled in Blood Magic, how are we supposed to beat all of them while only knowing the basics?"

Wing gave a dark smile. "Seems difficult, doesn't it? If you thought that you got a lightweight trainer, then you are incorrect. I believe that before one hones their Hatsu, they should have the basics down to a tee. In order for you to fully complete my training, you will become so proficient in the Basic elements of Blood Magic that you will be able to clear the Arena without any specialized Hatsu. This will be especially easy for the two of you, Gon and Killua. I can sense your potential, and you will be powerful Sorcerers yet."

Gon had that look in his eyes again.

"So we'll be able to clear the Heavan's Arena with only a novice's knowledge of Blood Magic?" Killua clarified, more than a little skeptical.

"Correct."

"Sounds badass, how do we get started?" the Valkyrie said with a smirk.

Wing stepped in front of his whiteboard, standing before the symbols for Ten, Ren, Zetsu, and Hatsu. "Now that the two of you know what the four basic principles are, we will conduct the Awakening ceremony and begin training you in Ten. We have less than 21 hours to get you strong enough to pass Hisoka, are you ready?"

"Yes!" Gon exclaimed, leaping from his seat and pumping his fists in the air. "Let's hurry and get started!"

Killua stood up after him. "Now what's all this Awakening business?" he asked with a lopsided smile. They had some serious work to do.


AN: Blood Magic is this au's version of Nen!