A/N: Hello everyone. I do apologize that it's been taking much longer than it used to with chapter releases, there has just been a lot going on and it's been difficult with getting them finished in a shorter amount of time then it has lately. With how much I've been dealing with between health and other issues, focusing on writing has been quite a challenge. Not to mention, the partial writer's block I mentioned some time back hasn't fully gone away, so there is that as well.
So, despite that RoF has been moving at a kind of crawl, I still hope people are enjoying it. : The situation is heating up, and will only get more climatic as this arc progresses as there is a lot planned for the remaining chapters. It was quite rough at points with figuring out how I wanted certain scenes to play out, but I think it's coming together.
Unfortunately, like it's been with the last five chapters, it's completely unbeta'd. With how busy SweetsDreamer has been, I am not sure when she will be able to get back into proofing, but until then, all subsequent chapters will end up this way.
Summary: As the situation on the Black Whale begins to intensify, Gon and Killua begin making their way towards the other decks while searching for where the Kakin royal vault is. Meanwhile, Chrollo, Kurapika and Amar have their own problems to deal with as a direct result of Nen Beasts making an appearance.
A low, resonant drone of voices echoed throughout the vast room, causing many different conversations to become incomprehensible. Several people gathered in groups, chattering away to pass the time, while others aimlessly milled through the thinly passing crowd. Some were even in the corners, apart from the rest, as they sat quietly while reading books, playing games, or secretly committing to more nefarious activities. A few even cloistered themselves away in fear of possibly getting mixed up with some of the rougher, more dangerous mobs.
Even the air was heavy as it carried a stale, redolent mix of bitter food, sweat, and unwashed bodies. One might even swear there was a hint of old gym socks and nasty feet along with it.
Yet, it didn't seem to bother the silver-haired youth with pale blue eyes that were sharp like a hawk's, nor the vibrant, buoyant amber-eyed boy who strode beside him. After many years of training as an assassin and living primarily in the woods, it didn't seem that anything remotely foul would upend either of them.
Despite that, Gon wrinkled his nose as a particular odor hit it, which caused him to pinch it reflexively. "This place really does stink." He commented offhandedly, then stuck his tongue out in sarcastic emphasis.
Gon's immature display made Killua roll his eyes as the remark was unbelievably ridiculous, even for his friend, but he merely shoved both hands into the pockets of his dark blue pants. "What do you expect?" Killua briefly glanced around the length of the room, his mouth slowly turning downward. "We're on a boat in the middle of nowhere that is carrying dozens of people from all over. There is bound to be a few bad smells because of it."
His attention immediately reverted back toward Gon, who stuck his tongue out again, which made Killua shrug his shoulders as a result. Although Gon could be relatively dense at times, the kid was brilliant, crafty, a practical prodigy, and someone skilled beyond comparison.
Plus, Gon was special. It made Killua admire him, something that he rarely did, as there were very few people in the world he could call a friend or best friend at that. Because of those factors, he was able to easily overlook Gon's noticeable faults. Besides, Gon was the only one to show him there was more to the world than just being an assassin and how to make the most of it while having fun.
"Anyway," Gon tittered before his expression changed to become serious. "Do you think that it's possible the treasure vault may be somewhere on this level?" He questioned curiously, his eyes adamantly searching the area around them. "Also, I haven't seen the spiders since we boarded, so I am a bit lost on what to do."
The sudden inquiry made Killua sigh before he reached over to flick the other boy on the side of the head. "Idiot." He chided while leaning slightly forward. "Don't you remember what Kurapika said? We are supposed to help search for a way to access the tiers above. It seems pretty obvious the Scarlet Eyes wouldn't be found here." Killua then straightened as Gon turned from crucial to embarrassed. He sighed again, this time in exasperation.
One of Gon's hands made its way onto the back of his head as he scratched at his hair idly. "Oh yeah, I haven't forgotten." He commented nervously, eyes momentarily closed. "I just wasn't sure if you had any ideas or not. From what I can tell, there aren't many exits." Immediately after speaking, Gon's posture became rigid, and his embarrassment faded away. They needed to focus.
It definitely wasn't time for games, especially while there was so much on the line.
"Well, I have only seen one so far," Killua intoned, voice steely, "and it seems to be well guarded. I don't know how difficult it would be to get past them, if at all since Kurapika said that Kakin's royal army is guarding all the access points." He casually jabbed a thumb in the direction of where he knew the exit was. "Then again, passing through this tier to the one above isn't as restricted as the levels above that. Our main problem is reaching tier two and three."
Their apparent predicament made Gon hum in response as he tried to formulate a plan so they could access the upper decks. Since the military maintained all the outlets while limiting those who could enter, it would be tricky to pass through without generating a lot of commotion.
He mulled over every possible strategy, but each time it ended with him and Killua more than likely getting caught, so he was no closer to a solution than he was initially. Granted, they also had Nen at their disposal, but who could say the royal army didn't have users within their ranks?
Walking into the unknown wasn't preferable, mainly without information prior, but they had little to go on as it was. But then again, it wasn't the first time that actually happened.
It was something that Gon seemed to have a penchant for. He was consistently brash and running headlong into danger. Taking risks had never been an issue for the amber-eyed boy, even when the odds were stacked against him. Gon was the very same youth that walked straight towards a Foxbear defending her cub and lived to tell the tale.
He was even skilled enough to tame the very same cub after its mother's death.
There was no mistaking that determined glint Killua saw sparking behind those eyes, as he had so many times before or the fact that Gon wouldn't relinquish to anything once his mind was set. Knowing that caused the young Zoldyck boy to frown, but trying to convince Gon otherwise would be a fruitless endeavor.
Killua sighed - as he did any other time Gon wanted to act brash - and forced both gloved hands deeper into his pockets. He waited patiently for his friend to speak. "That definitely isn't good," Gon said finally after several long moments, "since it means we have to get off this level." He briefly went silent, head tilted to the side while appearing contemplative. "I doubt we are going to find anything else of importance here then," Gon added bluntly.
Immediately, Killua rolled his eyes but refrained from casting any form of rebuttal. Instead, he just shrugged his shoulders. "I agree. There isn't much here, considering the type of people on this deck anyway." He commented while subtly nodding toward the space directly behind him.
A cheeky grin appeared fleetingly on Gon's features at his subsequent agreement, and Killua breathed out steadily as a result. He had already resigned to the looming outcome. "Maybe the spiders have already figured out how to reach the other tiers and if so, we could try to meet up with them."
It was still weird, or rather, strange referring to the Genei Ryodan so casually, but despite how bizarre it was, they were now working as a team. Since Kurapika decided to join them after forming a relationship with their leader, so much had changed. It was an aspect that Killua knew he would have to get used to.
Even then, his younger brother Kalluto had also joined them. Which actually helped to shape his perspective on the matter. Between his brother's decision and Kurapika voluntarily becoming a member, Killua found it easier to accept. Gon had already done so, and almost without pause, his trust in Kurapika strong enough to keep it from ever being misguided.
At least, Killua mused, he was learning to deal with it much better than Leorio. The med student continued struggling over the notion of Kurapika's involvement with Chrollo and that both men were now a couple. Sometimes Killua heard their friend grumbling about how angry the arrangement made him and that he still couldn't believe Kurapika had chosen to be with a man like Chrollo. Of course, the constant gripping had become rather bothersome as it was evident that Kurapika's situation wasn't about to change; they were both very much in love. Yet, Leorio seemed to ignore that fact.
It was as if he was clinging onto some vain hope that fate would eventually sway in his favor, but neither of them had the heart to tell him. Every time Leorio would make a comment, Killua could only shake his head.
Still, the relationship between Kurapika and Chrollo was irrelevant. Kurapika had made his choice, and Killua respected that. Like Gon, he had agreed to help their Kurta friend with his final mission to retrieve the remaining Scarlet Eyes, and everything outside of that was of no concern.
If Kurapika was happy, then who was he to say anything?
"Yeah," Killua intoned passively, then slid both hands out of his pockets and brought them up behind his head. "But first, we have to find out if it's possible to access the next two decks. Neither of us are certain if regular passengers can pass through or not."
For a moment, there was a bit of silence between them as Gon appeared thoughtful, the nature of their circumstance more significant than it was before. He nodded afterward, seeing no other way and that getting through the checkpoint was their top priority. If that failed, he and Killua would have to figure out how to sneak onto the other decks. One hurdle wasn't about to stop them now.
Gon suddenly clapped his hands together. "Alright. Let's do it!" He commented enthusiastically, a look of determination showing on his face. Killua wasn't sure if he should be amused or concerned.
Nonetheless, standing around fretting wouldn't do them any good. Finding a way to move throughout the ship was their only focus. Kurapika counted on them to help gather information on where Tserriednich kept the eyes and possibly any royal treasure. Not that he wanted anything more than to recover the remains of his people, but Kurapika still wanted to appease his boyfriend if possible.
"Just remember to not do anything stupid," Killua chided, his steely blue eyes hardening as he looked straight into Gon's amber ones. Knowing the other boy, he would do something reckless that would end up causing them trouble. Hopefully, Gon understood that.
Even then, it was hard knowing for sure with that decisive smile on his face. "Don't worry, I won't." He responded cheerily before grinning, and Killua wondered if Gon really meant it.
Still, they couldn't stay there and tarry. If there really was going to be a succession war between the Kakin princes and princesses, time definitely was of the essence. There was no telling exactly what was going to happen once it actually started.
The faster he and Gon managed to collect some intel, the better.
Killua absently scratched at the side of his head with a sole digit before expelling another breath. "Alright then. Let's go." He said quietly before turning in the direction of the exit gate.
Slowly, Killua made his way across the expansive room while bobbing and weaving through the meandering crowd. Gon was practically on his heels, the other boy's stride matching his own. As they got closer, Killua straightened himself while breathing in, ready to face the challenge ahead of them.
The common area had fallen strangely quiet with an almost eerie silence as nothing moved, and only the faint sound of heavy breathing could be heard. For several long, agonizing moments, the only thing anyone could do was stare, the shock of what happened still fresh for those present in the room. It took Kurapika some time before he could stand, but once he was able to process the situation and regain his composure, he finally grasped the outstretched hand offered to him and stood up.
Beside him were Bill and Chrollo as both men stared down at the man that Kurapika had recently subdued. Amar was not far behind him as the young Nacknar remained on guard, his faint snarls breaking the silence as a result of the sudden but dangerous situation that transpired recently.
It was hard to believe what happened, even from his standpoint, but Kurapika merely frowned as he glanced from the bloody knife now embedded in the floor to Sayrid, who appeared dazed, and finally Bill as he watched the scene while utterly baffled. "Bill," Kurapika called as he glanced over his shoulder, chains clearly visible on his right hand. "The three ways that you spoke of, is Sayrid needed for us to escape the ship?" He stated outright, vexation marring his features.
A crease formed along Bill's forehead at the abrupt question, but he merely pursed his lips before answering. "Kurton was the one we needed since he was a conjurer. His ability let him transform into a car or ship capable of transporting up to five people. Though… it required the use of aura from others as well." He finalized while observing Kurapika's movements.
"Intriguing. Sounds quite useful," Chrollo commented nonchalantly, quite impressed by such a unique skill.
The response made Kurapika hum, icy blue eyes locked on the man lying flat on the ground. Although it was disappointing to hear that someone significant to their plan got removed from the equation, Kurapika wasn't about to let it hinder progress.
He clenched his fists tighter and sucked in a sharp breath. "What is your Nen category and ability?" Kurapika demanded as he bent down close to Sayrid, voice taut.
Slowly, the corners of Sayrid's lips formed into the semblance of an impish grin before the man began to laugh maniacally, his expression bordering on mania. "I-it made me do it, b-because I wasn't free…" He stuttered, eyes nearly bulging from their sockets.
Kurapika rose back up, but the moment he did, the sound of intent growling echoed in his ears. "I think he is just playing with us." Amar's voice resonated inside his skull. The suddenness of it made Kurapika suck in a breath.
Even then, he wasn't exactly sure that was the problem. Something was definitely wrong, yet, he sensed no deception coming from Sayrid despite not using his Dowsing Chain. "I don't believe that is the case," Kurapika commented, his gaze now shifting from Amar to Chrollo, then finally back to Bill. If Sayrid was hiding something, then it was due to an outside influence.
Once again, the older guard's forehead creased as he obviously was perturbed, eyebrows raised fully in response. "I cannot reveal Sayrid's ability without his consent."
Immediately, Chrollo stepped forward, his stormy grey eyes landing on Bill, expression firm. "I don't think that is really a problem now." He proclaimed, gesturing toward Sayrid, who was undoubtedly incapacitated.
"Agreed," Kurapika supplied, his left hand cupping the right one just beneath his chains. "It's quite necessary to quickly avert this crisis." He paused to stare intently at Bill. "Or was your assertion to prioritize the queen and princess's safety a lie?"
Shock swiftly overtook Bill as Kurapika's words hit fast and hard. The man's lips had parted, going slightly agape as if he wanted to speak, then clamped them soon after. An intermittent silence followed both Chrollo and Kurapika's words, causing the other bodyguard to grunt as a result. It was easy to tell the tension in the air had spiked, especially between Kurapika and Bill. Even Amar had shifted anxiously, the sound of his claws scraping the tile only adding to the already intolerable situation.
"Alright," Bill grunted, a look of resignation on his visage. "Sayrid is an emitter although his ability is more akin to a manipulator's. He releases a Nen ball to capture small creatures and seize control of it."
Kurapika briefly closed his eyes following Bill's statement, a slight wave of aura encompassing his arm to fingers as it began to flow unfettered through him. "Ah, I see." He said and straightened himself again. "That could actually prove to be useful," Kurapika added almost resolutely.
Then, without another word, Kurapika suddenly jerked his arm backward right before manifesting a chain with a syringe attached, eyes now firmly locked on Sayrid as they flashed crimson behind his blue-colored contacts. Its silvery length shot forward from his index finger and quickly rose into the air, the sight of it causing a round of gasps and humming to instantly fill the room. However, Kurapika ignored them, and instead, he directed the syringe towards Sayrid's chest, the tip plunging down without hesitation.
Waves of energy began to fervently surge through his body, white-hot and raging like a river. As the powerful substance filled into Kurapika, making him stiffen, its effects and the nature of the chain's ability had abruptly reminded him of something that his teacher once said.
"Fighting alone, and then coming up short or lacking in areas where it was most crucial may be dissatisfying for you." The idea of it back then seemed like a fool's errand, but now, while amid the heat of battle, as it had been proven many times before, he saw just how vital allies really were.
To have friends.
…and a lover.
The two were practically essential, but not only that, each one of them was entirely on his side.
Gon and Killua, both young, enthusiastic, supportive, and encouraging. Leorio, hotheaded, ill-tempered, but honest and reliable. Then Chrollo. A once sworn enemy who provided him with hopes, dreams, and every reason to live had been enough to show that while life isn't always simple, he didn't have to be alone.
Each thought flooded his mind, a constant reminder of exactly what he really had. No longer was he the sole renegade or a lone wolf, but someone of significance that mattered. He was loved, cared for, and cherished by those who valued him as a person. It definitely wasn't something that he had been accustomed to, and still, Kurapika knew it was an aspect that he would have to come to accept.
Or… had already accepted.
A newfound strength burst forth, enhancing the force already inside of him, and Kurapika utilized it to latch onto Sayrid's aura before gradually siphoning away the man's hatsu.
Right away, there was a sound of panicked murmuring rose as those who remained were now focused intently on Kurapika. Bill looked utterly shocked, almost completely petrified in place, while Oito gasped, her eyes wide and filled with uncertainty. Amar was left practically taken aback. Even Chrollo looked surprised by the sudden turn of events, but he was more intrigued by the new ability that Kurapika had manifested.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Bill managed to blurt out once he had regained his composure, mouth sitting practically agape as he watched Kurapika completely dumbfounded.
Kurapika grunted and continued without stopping, his eyes remaining forward. "I am temporarily removing Sayrid's ability. By extracting the Nen, I can keep him in a similar state to Zetsu." He paused, feeling the remainder of the other man's aura flowing thickly into his chain. "If the Nen beasts are parasitic as you mentioned," Kurapika breathed slowly, "and require the hosts aura to survive, then whatever was put in Sayrid might also be a parasite. When his aura, the creature's food, is removed, maybe then it will leave him alone."
"But what if it doesn't?" Bill countered, his voice heated. "If Sayrid gets exposed to any malicious Nen while in Zetsu, both his body and mind will get destroyed!"
A brief silence descended around the room as everyone contemplated the weight of Bill's words. The idea of sacrificing someone in such a way seemed barbaric, even dishonorable, the notion of it a hard pill to swallow. While it wasn't easy to make such a difficult decision, other lives were still at stake.
"We must remember," Chrollo stepped in, his attention now directed toward the other guard, "the princess and queen's safety is pivotal."
For a moment, Bill appeared literally dumbstruck, his mind reeling from the unfolding events. "Even so! You seriously cannot be willing to go th-"
"He is right Bill!" Kurapika snapped and turned to gaze at the lanky guard beside him. A scowl formed on his lips. "If the risk becomes too great, then it's valuable information that can be used to adjust our counter-measures. Should Chrollo or I get defeated, it's what you will have to do."
The weight of Kurapika's statement hit Bill fast and hard, like an unexpected weight crashing down on him. One of his eyebrows raised, mouth pursed, eyes widened. Unfortunately, whatever it was that Kurapika was proposing, there was no getting around it. Bill sniffed indignantly, still unsure of what to do.
He watched Kurapika intently, never wavering, swallowing hard.
"I don't think he comprehends the magnitude of the situation, my friend." Amar's voice rang out, causing Kurapika to blink for a second.
"To be frank, I have to agree. While the lives of all the guards are indeed valuable, we have been entrusted to protect Queen Oito and Princess Woble. If not for that, we would be useless. This situation is not any different unfortunately," Chrollo added stiffly.
During the entire exchange, Oito had remained silent. Her gaze shifted between all three men before she abstractedly reached down to place one hand on top of Amar's head. The young creature leaned into it slightly before moving closer to her. Amar's presence had, strangely enough, slowly become a comforting presence.
"Exactly," Kurapika confirmed, and he gently retracted the syringe for Sayrid's chest after the last of the man's aura bled away. "However, I will say that if you were to fall victim to another Nen beast, I won't hesitate and do the same to garner more information. At this point, we must take whatever measures are necessary to maintain security." He said before straightening fully once again.
And yet, the second he did so, the sight of movement out of his peripheral vision captured his attention. Kurapika stepped closer, eyes narrowing as his vision adjusted to notice a small creature exiting from within Sayrid's ear.
"Do you see something?" Chrollo questioned, noticing Kurapika's abrupt distraction, and stepped up beside him.
Despite his lover's inquiry, he didn't answer right away and decided to lean in closer as whatever it was that he saw finally came into view. Kurapika hissed beneath his breath. "I'm not sure but it may be a Nen beast. Some kind of creature with multiple legs and a bear-like head crawled out from inside Sayrid. I should attempt to capture it." Kurapika furthered as he carefully monitored the tiny beast.
Then, without any warning, it took off at full tilt and began scurrying across the room hastily in a desperate attempt to get away from him. Kurapika leapt up without a second thought, and his eyes deepened in their scarlet color, turning bright like rubies as he slipped quickly into Emperor Time. Afterward, the syringe morphed into an intricate dolphin with matching ones at the tip of both fins.
"Load borrowed ability!" He commanded and then watched as something with a long, dark body shot past him, jaws snapping at the fleeing beast right before it absconded to a vent in the room before disappearing. Seconds afterward, both syringes on the dolphin filled completely, the tubes shimmering with a luminescent pearl color.
A long, drawn-out growl followed afterward. "Damn! It got away!" Amar said in absolute frustration.
Kurapika cursed beneath his breath, fists clenched tightly. "Ability loaded successfully." The dolphin confirmed afterward, its voice echoing in his mind. "It's called Rear Window or Little Eye. A ball of Nen is used to commandeer a small living animal. However, it does not work on nen-conjured entities." The voice continued, making Kurapika sigh.
Realizing his inutility with stealing enemy abilities had left Kurapika feeling defeated, but albeit the circumstances, they would just have to continue searching until it was figured out. Hopefully, he concluded.
"Is everything okay?" Kurapika sensed the soft brush of fur against his side and turned to see Amar standing next to him with Chrollo only a meter or two away.
"Yeah." He lied and then turned from the young Nacknar to notice his lover's head was tilted, eyebrow raised, and watching him intently. As always, Chrollo was able to tell when he was fibbing. Kurapika groaned inwardly.
The vibration of Kurapika's aura humming through his body brought him back to reality in the next moment. "Please find a target for Little Eye. Otherwise, Emperor Time will be forced to continue until the ability is triggered and I am dismissed. While it's on—" The dolphin reminded, slightly admonishing him.
"I know," Kurapika commented with a sigh. "Stand by." His gaze landed on Amar before shifting back to Chrollo. His lover rose another eyebrow at him questioningly.
"So," Chrollo began, amusement clear on his features. "What exactly were you speaking to?" He asked with a singsong-like hum, both hands still hidden in his pockets.
The fact that his Kurta lover was unleashing new skills had readily piqued his attention, curious by what just happened. Though, he readily lacked the knowledge regarding the depth of Kurapika's abilities since most were kept secret. Chrollo knew about Chain Jail, the middle finger's power, which had initially been forged to capture him and kill his spiders, but now it was no longer needed. And there was the one for the pinky, which got used to bind his Nen. The rest were still a mystery.
Chrollo remembered seeing the manifestations of the ones from Kurapika's thumb and ring fingers as well, though he had never seen the one attached to the younger man's index until today. And even then, what they were entirely capable of was still unknown. Though Chrollo did have his suspicions.
He was almost confident about the index finger's ability. The rest he could only surmise.
Immediately, Kurapika stiffened, his body going rigid. "I know that I haven't revealed the full extent of all my abilities, but I don't think now is the time." Kurapika responded categorically. He clicked his tongue in exasperation.
"I see." Chrollo breathed, disappointed. "Though I should have expected as much." He continued, albeit that he debated pressing the issue. Which, more than likely, wasn't a good idea as not only would he probably invoke Kurapika's ire, but it wouldn't help any regarding their current situation. Of course, he definitely would bring the subject back up once it was all over.
Such a nonchalant reply made Kurapika sniff. Arrogant bastard. He thought, but then again, could he blame Chrollo? It was the same for him since he was more than curious as to exactly what his lover's abilities were. Just like his own powers, Kurapika had only seen but a fraction of the skills he was sure that Chrollo possessed.
In truth, it was only right to share that part of themselves as well. The bond they had ran deep, and both of them had since vowed to keep no secrets. Revealing everything to one another was a further testament of trust between them. "It's fine. We'll speak about it later," Kurapika confirmed slowly, arms folding over his chest.
Chrollo stood almost motionless, watching the younger man carefully, but then nodded, clearly satisfied that Kurapika wasn't opposed to the idea. Although he would have preferred to discuss it now since there was much to learn and many questions to ask considering his lover's abilities - especially after what he had seen, it would have to suffice for now.
Arguing otherwise with Kurapika would be futile. Besides, he trusted the younger man wholeheartedly.
Pleased by Chrollo's agreement, he turned back to Bill, ready to continue addressing their current problem. "Bill," Kurapika spoke calmly, though he felt slightly tired. "Sayrid should be fine now. But tie him to a chair just to be safe."
The whole time Bill had watched the exchange between Chrollo and Kurapika, confused by their banter as it seemed to be something rather personal. He grunted the moment his name was called and rushed over to begin moving Sayrid closer to the center of the room. Right away, Bill realized just how heavy the man was as Sayrid's body got slowly pulled across the tile floor and toward the closest chair. After a few steps, however, he felt the weight had significantly lessened and looked up to see the creature that followed the other two men around helping him.
It was strange to acknowledge a being like Amar as something that wasn't dangerous; his appearance and even his presence were a bit unsettling, and yet, he had proven himself trustworthy thus far.
Even the queen and her daughter seemed to accept him, which for Bill was good enough.
After a few minutes, they managed to get Sayrid up and onto a chair, although the man's body was still limp because of Kurapika's prior Nen extraction. Bill proceeded to use a rope to bind him before ensuring that it was fully secure. Practically after he finished, Sayrid began to stir.
The man groaned and opened his eyes. "What happened?" He questioned, voice crackly.
A brief pause followed his words as the people left in the room were all focused on him, their expressions ranging from concern to fear and even distrust. Kurapika took a few steps forward, both hands planted on his hips. "I could ask you the same thing," He commented flatly. "Since you're the one who ended up going on a rampage and killing two guards."
Instantly Sayrid's eyes widened, shock and bewilderment accenting his countenance. "What?!" He blurted out and jerked forward only to realize that he couldn't move. Sayrid tested his arms by trying to pull them forth, only to be met with resistance. It was then reality hit. "I-I don't remember any of that." There was a dryness to his voice, and Sayrid licked his parched lips. After what Kurapika had said, he couldn't entirely blame them for tying him up.
"That is exactly why we are trying to figure out what happened," Kurapika replied, then straightened himself a bit. There was a stiffness in his back and neck as he was sure it was from the tension and weight of Emperor Time remaining active. "Can you tell us what you do remember?" He breathed out, tone softer now.
Sayrid nodded and looked down for a moment before raising to face everyone as he tried to recount the events that led up to his current predicament. "From what I do remember, after those creatures flooded the room, one of them appeared similar to a large, stuffed mouse with beady-like eyes and sharp teeth. It asked if I 'had a minute' to which I responded with no I don't. Though, after I spoke to it, a smaller version kept pestering me. The thing kept saying, 'Let me know when you're free, okay?'" Sayrid stopped momentarily as he shuddered at the memory of the creature but resumed afterward. "I told it off several times, but it wouldn't go away. The next thing I knew, I couldn't control my body any longer, and then, nothing."
Silence preceded him as it took some time for them to parse everything Sayrid had just said. Kurapika stared at him in utter disbelief while Chrollo looked to be caught between intrigue and uncertainty. Bill and Oito were simply dumbfounded on what to do.
Amar, while puzzled, had seen the creatures first-hand and stayed beside the queen to continue offering comfort. However, it seemed like, at every turn, the situation continued to become more and more complex.
"I have to say," Chrollo stated as he broke the silence, "that is quite the story. It's very disconcerting that one, or possibly even more of these Nen beasts are capable of taking over people's minds."
The statement made Kurapika twitch; such an idea was definitely unsettling, to say the least. "Yeah. It brings about more reason for concern and for us to take extra measures when dealing with this problem. Truthfully, it does have me a bit on edge." He shuddered again, this time, only slightly less as Chrollo had placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. The gesture always had a soothing effect.
"Agreed," Chrollo responded, and he spared a glance toward Oito and Woble. "If anything, to ensure that nothing like that remotely happens to the queen or princess. An event like that could prove to have devastating consequences."
Thinking about such a notion and what kind of outcome it would incur caused a solemn reaction in all of them. Even Sayrid appeared upended by the possibility, which caused his remorse to only deepen. With luck, nothing to that degree would ever occur.
Once the tension settled - if only by a fraction - Bill cleared his throat loudly. "At this point, it's best if we don't dwell on it and utilize what happened here to ensure that it never does again. Considering that we know one of these creatures is able to manipulate people, gathering more information on the rest would be prudent." He emphasized the last part, hoping that it would be enough to highlight the severity of what they were dealing with.
"Of course. Queen Oito and Princess Woble's safety is of the utmost importance. From here I suggest that we proceed carefully." Chrollo shifted, and his grey eyes landed on the young woman who stood a few meters away while cradling Woble in her arms. Beside her was Amar. The ebony pup appeared to be guarded. "Don't worry, your majesty, we won't allow anything to befall you." Chrollo bowed right after he finished speaking, one that was deep with a slight flourish. A small grin formed on his lips as a result.
The act made Oito acknowledge his affirmation, and she nodded in response. Although she had reservations and was still worried about the safety of both her and Woble, the strength and probity of Chrollo and Kurapika's words helped to alleviate some of that fear. Her own eyes met Chrollo's as she looked intently into them. "I believe you." She added though she felt a slight sense of familiarity. Oddly, it offered her a bit of comfort.
Whatever it was about Chrollo and the strange connection he had with Kurapika, she couldn't help but feel somewhat drawn to them. So far, they had shown just how far they were willing to go and just how important protecting her and Woble was to them. Amar has also demonstrated the very same thing, which helped to alleviate some of her stress.
However, the brief reverie was interrupted by a sound of shuffling in the adjacent room. Quietly, Bill slid out to inspect the disruption, only to return a short time later with several men dressed in military attire behind him.
"Hand over the suspect. The Kakin army will take him in for questioning." A tall, broad-shouldered man had commanded after stepping to the front, the hat he wore making him appear somewhat intimidating.
Despite their abrupt arrival, Bill shifted his attention back to the other two guards across from him. "What should we do, Kurapika?" He inquired, entirely unsure.
"What more can we do?" Chrollo supplied before his lover did. "The army has jurisdiction over anyone suspected of a crime. And besides, we got all the information there possibly was out of him as is." He threw a glance in the direction of the men as they clustered at the entrance of the room before turning back to face Bill.
Even Kurapika was inclined to agree. Sayrid had recounted everything he could, from the minute the Nen beasts invaded the room to when he blacked out. At this point, attempting to delay his interrogation would only be fruitless.
"Let them in." He said passively, not wishing to create friction with the military.
Bill fluidly stepped aside without further question, and the men began to swiftly file into the room. They stiffly approached Sayrid and began to carefully untie the man before hauling him up onto his feet. "Might I ask what happened to my ability?" He spoke quietly, a dismal look on his face.
It nearly caught him off-guard, but Kurapika tilted back just enough to see Sayrid. He then raised his right hand, the syringe to his index chain sitting betwixt his fingers. "Still inside this," Kurapika confirmed as the essence pulsed with a faint glow.
"Ah. You can keep it. I have no more use for it now." Sayrid replied, the factuality of his situation helping to incite his decision. A pair of cuffs were placed on his wrists.
Kurapika shook his head, blond locks swaying about his visage. "Unfortunately, I cannot. It will automatically return to you after it's been deployed. I can only use abilities that I take once."
"I see," Sayrid looked up, eyes fixed on Kurapika. "Let me give you the rest of the rules then." He continued and paused before the army personnel started to move him. "The size of the creatures that I can control are that of hamsters or smaller. I can get all the information that it sees or hears, even from a distance. Flies and mosquitoes are optional and inconspicuous, but they tend to get eaten or end up dying from bug spray." Sayrid paused again as two men grappled him firmly beneath the arms. "Be careful though as you only get one shot to capture something. I've failed at times to catch the really fast ones." He sighed as they started dragging him off and Sayrid glanced back one more time before the men forced him through the exit. "Use it well. I hope you catch the culprit." Then he was gone.
It was a lot to process what he heard, but Kurapika knew that it was precious information to help them, considering the most recent events. Dealing with the Succession War, his search for the eyes and a discreet way to make contact with Tserriednich, and now uncontrollable Nen beasts with no discernible method of knowing what they will do, it definitely was problematic, if not overwhelming.
Truthfully, if it wasn't for Chrollo and Amar backing him up, Kurapika wasn't entirely sure if he could have managed alone with just Bill. Of course, they had a lot on their plates, but with Chrollo at his side, while Amar helped to protect Oito and Woble, it made contending with that notion a bit easier.
Kurapika knew that he was already stressed, especially with the growing friction between the members of the Kakin royal family. There was a constant, perpetual need to keep unwanted attention diverted from them if they were to increase the chances of survival, but they had been unsuccessful so far. More and more, he and Chrollo had to defuse very fragile and dangerous situations, which had practically kept them on the defensive, further setting them back.
For the longest, Kurapika stared at the door where Sayrid had been taken away, his mind fervently trying to make sense of all that transpired. It had only been two hours since they departed Kakin, and now they were down to just three guards from the eleven they started with.
How it got that far was still incomprehensible. Their situation had turned sour and started going south from the get-go, making it hard to keep a positive mindset. If everything didn't appear bleak in the beginning, it sure did now, though Kurapika was determined to get through it, just as he was sure that Chrollo probably thought the same.
One thing he didn't plan to do was give up. Not that his lover would let him anyway.
The clicking of footsteps on the ceramic tile alerted Kurapika to activity nearby, and he broke away from his wayward thoughts to notice Chrollo standing at his side watching him. The older man hummed. "So…" he spoke casually, "what now?"
Another inevitable silence followed the somber mood as the weight of the most recent outcome sat on everyone's mind. Kurapika appeared skeptical, while Bill and Chrollo were contemplative. Oito remained silent as she tried to process the notion there were intangible factors beyond their control.
Just knowing that and the existence of Nen itself was a shock to the system. How something so powerful and devastating could be turned into nearly uncontestable weapons was utterly horrifying.
Thinking about it made her shudder visibly.
Oito breathed in deeply, then looked up at all three men. One of her hands found its way into Amar's pelt again as she idly carded through his ebony fur.
"Do not worry yourself, all will be well." His voice resonated within her mind, and she nodded reluctantly before sighing.
It was then Kurapika's gaze had found hers. Oito was able to see the mix of distress but also sureness inside them.
"Bill," Kurapika formulated a moment later. He turned from the queen toward his comrade with immobile resolve. "Our conversation earlier, you said there were two other ways to escape the ship, can either be done without Kurton?" This time, his eyes flashed with conviction, although they were still in their crimson state.
Hearing his name nearly made Bill jump, but the man placed both hands on his hips before looking down a second. "Yes, but one of them requires Pariston's assistance and will be difficult. The other requires aid from Beyond and will be even more difficult."
The very thought of those two options made Kurapika's lips twist into a scowl. What he learned about Pariston and Beyond from Mizaistom had left a sour taste in his mouth, especially regarding Pariston's way of handling Association business as a member of the Zodiacs.
And even then, he was no less appealing than Gon's father, Ging.
When it came to Beyond Netero, Kurapika knew even less about him. It was no secret that he was Issac Netero's son and one of the people who helped fund the voyage to the Dark Continent, but how the man operated and what power he had were something of a mystery.
Still, judging from Bill's attitude when mentioning either of them, it made Kurapika wary. He shot a quick glance in Chrollo's direction as if seeking his lover's opinion.
"If both options are only going to be harder than it would have been with Kurton, I think it's best for us to find another way." Chrollo remarked, steadfast in his suggestion as if he had already been aware of what dealing with Pariston and Beyond would entail.
So far, there was enough reason for them to avoid any route that would end up causing more problems or make them indebted. Which could be likely for anyone dealing with Pariston.
Getting stuck owing that man anything was the last thing he or Kurapika needed.
Contemplation accented Kurapika's features, and he placed the end of his right index finger just beneath his lower lip. "I am also inclined to agree." He confirmed a faint tone of caution in his voice. "Considering what I already know, relying on them may be adverse in the long run. We should think of something else."
Kurapika shifted his focus between Chrollo and Bill, both men just as pensive as he was. Though his lover appeared pleased with his decision as both choices would have undoubtedly worked against them.
The only one he couldn't get an entire read on was Bill, yet their comrade didn't look to be in any disagreement.
His expression remained unchanged. "You're probably right," Bill spoke after a few minutes, the lines around his eyes deepening. "Beyond tends to be ambiguous with his decisions and Pariston, well that man is far from trustworthy for sure." He expelled a heavy, laden breath, the sound of almost a sigh. "Truthfully, I don't blame you for wanting to avoid both routes. There is no guarantee what kind of outcome will happen when dealing with those two."
So they possibly would have gotten screwed either way. Kurapika really didn't like those odds, specifically when a lot was stacked against them already. Finding another option at that point seemed more realistic since their other choices weren't exactly practical. Plus, there wasn't a lot of room for mistakes.
Besides, he and Chrollo had a promise to keep.
Kurapika cast a furtive glance in Oito's direction, the young woman virtually absorbed in the events unfolding around her. Though she kept shifting her focus from the three of them to the baby resting in her arms. Woble made a few sounds of protest or garbled due to the increasingly tense conversation, but otherwise, she made no sudden moves.
Just watching the tiny but innocent child had tugged again at his heartstrings. It was unbelievable that someone like her could be wrapped up in such a deadly confrontation, the reality of it awful and iniquitous. Thinking about such a notion sickened Kurapika and made the bile rise up in the back of his throat, leaving a bitter taste on his tongue.
How anyone could be so cruel and repulsive was beyond any form of comprehension.
Then again, it wasn't entirely surprising as King Nasabi was already known for his avarice and insouciance.
"I swear that we will protect them no matter the outcome." Amar's voice rang loudly, reflective of his own pledge not made so long ago.
Even Chrollo's expression seemed to mirror his own. "Agreed. There is no chance any of us will leave the queen or her child to such a cruel fate. We will keep her safe until the ship reaches the Dark Continent, where the rest of the Kakin royal family can be left behind to kill each other or get slaughtered by the Nacknars." He paused, and his eyes met Oito's once more. "After we find and recover what is rightfully Kurapika's from Tserriednich, we can make our escape from the Dark Continent and leave the rest to their fate."
Chrollo's unforeseen proclamation had invoked a solemn quiet to descend around the room, his words firm but crucial.
"We can't do that!" Oito exclaimed suddenly, her face contorted by shock. "There are a few among them who don't want confrontation. I can't just abandon them to a certain death."
Apprehension welled behind the young woman's dark, hazelnut eyes, her lightly painted lips parted in dismay.
Her abrupt plea brought Kurapika to a halt, causing him to become thoughtful by her powerful words. She definitely made a compelling case, which gave him reason to hesitate. Despite the Succession War getting used as a killing ground to determine the next successor, Oito knew the other princes and princesses better than anyone present. Perhaps not all of them held desire for the throne.
Eventually, Kurapika slipped from his rumination and regarded her with circumspection. "If you're confident in those who honestly don't wish to participate in the battle, then I won't subjugate them to such a cruel outcome. We can try to find a way for them to escape as well."
Hopefully, the suggestion was enough. Initially, Kurapika was only going to ensure that Oito and Woble made it successfully off the Dark Continent. But if some of the royals wanted the same thing, he saw no reason to leave them behind.
Woble wasn't the only child forced into fighting for survival - a few others were dealt the same cruel hand.
"Are you sure about that?" Bill countered, the corners of his mouth tightening. "Doing so could very well complicate matters further." He eyed Kurapika sternly.
"We can't ignore the queen's request, either!" Amar stepped forward, hackles raised as he confronted Bill. If some of the younger royals were important to Oito, then who were they to disregard that? Whatever the outcome, he wasn't about to withdraw from her side.
The slightly wizened guard put his hands up in defense, posture submissive. "Don't worry, you aren't wrong by saying that." Bill sighed, a look of relief on his visage when Amar loosened up and went from practically wanting to launch at him to staring cooly in his direction. "The only problem is that we currently have no solid plan of escape, which is proving to be difficult formulating for us alone. Including others will only make it problematic."
Which, unfortunately, had turned out to be true. From the instance of the Nen beasts appearing to Sayrid's eventual breakdown, almost everything had gone wrong for them. Kurapika just hoped that nothing detrimental resulted from the announcement he made over the emergency channel earlier.
"Regardless," Kurapika began with sureness in his voice, "there is still time for us to think of something. Either way, we're all currently stuck inside this infernal floating quagmire, so the least we could do is try to keep it together."
From the moment those words left his mouth to when he took a step forward, everyone observed Kurapika intently, a sign of revelation on each of their faces. No one dared to counter him as there was no reason to. What he spoke was the truth, and in their time of need, staying unified was imperative. So long as they continued working together and fluidly, their chances of surviving the journey would increase exponentially.
He didn't fault Amar in the end. The vow they had made to Oito hadn't changed.
"Well then," Bill chimed in after a bit of awkward silence. "I have no intention of further disputing what you have said, Kurapika. Your claim is not only logical, but convincing, and as you said, our first duty is to the queen." He slackened after that, a show of capitulation, and then turned his head to quickly look at Oito, who had been watching. Bill felt a pang of grief from the momentary tightening in his chest.
At least for Kurapika, the abdication was enough to relieve some of his worries. "Great. We are all on the same page then. With that said, is there any more that you can tell us about these Nen beasts?"
"The trouble with parasites is, you cannot predict their actions. They are often a result of someone's residual curse that got attached to a host, which is conjured via the host's aura. Because of this, the host's personality and emotions influence the parasite. Humans are fundamentally variable beings, so the parasites grow as a blend of their creator and host, making them even more complicated."
"So, then it's as you said," Kurapika responded and shifted from Bill to queen Oito. "Depending on the prince or princess, they may not participate in the Succession War."
There was a second of delay as she pondered Kurapika's words before meeting his stare. "Yes. Some of them are against the idea of batting for the throne. However, the five oldest would never willingly opt out." She confirmed solemnly.
Everyone fell into deep thought as a result of Bill and Oito's statements. Again, Kurapika thought over how Nen beasts were made and operated plus their different effects on the princes and princesses. Because they were created specifically to fight in the Succession War, there was no way of knowing if that would become a problem with those who didn't want to participate.
Depending on how much sentience and autonomy the Nen beasts had, it could very well determine whether or not an issue would arise and if it could drive the creature into acting randomly or attempt to forcibly persuade its host into competing.
So many inconsistencies, and with no discernable outcome. The very idea of it was concerning. Whichever way they chose to approach the situation, it would have to be with those factors in mind.
More and more, their circumstances continued to worsen, making it harder to find a viable solution. Pertaining they got through the journey alive, it would be enough to last Kurapika a lifetime. He silently proclaimed to take Chrollo up on his offer as they would both need a very long and well-deserved break. Even Amar had been through his fair share of shit in the short amount of time they had known him. And that wasn't accounting for what he had experienced before they met.
"Honestly, until we figure out exactly how these creatures are directly influencing the other royals, I suggest that we focus on increasing our own defenses. Currently, we don't even know how Woble's Nen beast is affecting her, so it wouldn't advantageous for us to devote attention to that right now." Chrollo supplied after some deliberation, his posture rigid, expression firm.
At the moment, their primary objective was to ensure their own safety, which afterward, they could expand outward and delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the Nen beasts. Presently, the real concern was the other princes and princesses, mainly the upper five, who, from his understanding, have no inclination of backing out of the Succession War. That made them a direct threat and the center point of attention.
The royals were also the vessels for the Nen beasts, so learning more about them would help make it easier to gauge how their Nen beasts moved.
"Right," Kurapika replied, voice taut. "Which means the war actually begins once the other princes and princesses return from the ceremony banquet."
The echo of footsteps gradually faded away as the soldier proceeded in the other direction back to his post. Clicking followed, emanating into the air and bouncing off the walls from the man's heavy boots on the marble tile. Even the sound of metal had accented his movement from the gun he carried as it collided with the other gear on his back.
Eventually, the man disappeared, and Killua released a long, pent-up breath.
"I was beginning to think that he wasn't ever going to leave." He said just above a whisper, his back hitting the wall. "At least there is no one else around."
Killua fell quiet afterward and casually peered around the corner again, his sharp senses on alert for anything nearby.
"You had me worried that we wouldn't be able to sneak past him without getting caught." A voice called from beside him, and Killua shifted to face the other boy at his side. Gon was just as perceptive. "He was really suspicious right after you told him why we wanted access to the upper decks."
The reality of Gon's comment made Killua sigh audibly. He shoved both hands into the pockets of his pants roughly, an irritated smile gracing his visage. "Yeah, well, what else was I supposed to say when the guards asked us why?" He grunted afterward, eyebrow twitching. "It's not like they would have let us pass through either way."
Killua grunted again. He knew that sometimes Gon could be dense. But either way, they had managed to elude the military after sneaking onto deck four, so all they had to do was mainly keep out of sight while searching for information that Kurapika wanted.
"True," Gon finally said, his expression stern. A determined glint shone in his honey-colored eyes. "Though, I still think we could have gotten the okay if we just told them the truth."
Within seconds Killua nearly choked on his saliva, the comment almost too ridiculous to believe. He made a clicking sound and ground his teeth. What Gon said proved that he didn't always think, especially before speaking. "It wouldn't have mattered, honestly." Killua murmured, head slightly bowed. "We're here and need to figure out what is on this deck before anything." He pushed off the wall and then stood straight.
It was hard not to get frustrated when Gon did something stupid. Yet, by the same token, the boy's faults made him even more likable. He just wished that his friend wasn't so naive all the time.
Hearing Gon hum drew Killua's attention back to the dark-haired boy, that indication of blunt determination on his features again. "Alright," Gon concurred, hands balling into fists as he brought them up with an adamant smile. "We did promise to help Kurapika and his boyfriend locate where the rest of the Scarlet Eyes are, so let's begin searching here."
Afterward, Gon stepped forward to poke around the corner of their hiding spot when the strange presence of something close by caught his attention. The boy stopped instantly.
"Well, if it isn't the Chain User's friends." Someone called out from behind in a slow draw. The tone was low and slightly raspy, almost menacing sounding.
Both of them quickly turned around to face whoever had decided to approach them, only to see three familiar figures. Killua dropped out of his defensive stance, as did Gon once the other men got close enough to make out their features entirely.
"I didn't expect to run into you boys up here," Nobunaga said, his voice a little more cheery than usual. He had an odd smile on his face, the same one that he bared when interacting with Gon and Killua.
"Tch," Killua countered and used his partially gloved pinky finger to scratch the inside of his ear. "It's not as if either of us were looking for you." He lied. Gon shot him a confused look, and a mischievous grin crawled over Killua's own lips, keeping his friend from continuing. "Also, his name is Kurapika, not the Chain User."
Feitan exchanged looks with Nobunaga and Phinks, almost contemplative when regarding the Zoldyck boy's brazen response. Nobunaga then let out a loud bark, thoroughly entertained by their undaunted reactions.
"I still like these kids and the way they think. Sure that you haven't changed your mind about joining us?"
Several moments passed in total silence as Killua looked the man over. It was mind-boggling that one of the spiders remained adamant on recruiting them, namely Nobunaga, as it was him that attempted to convince them back in Yorknew into joining. Not like they would have been entirely opposed to it now that Kurapika was involved with Chrollo and no longer wanted them dead, but in truth, he and Gon had other plans. They wanted to travel the world, see the sights, and experience all that life had to offer.
Traveling with the Genei Ryodan didn't exactly have that idea in mind. And besides, Kurapika already had agreed to become a member. Even if he wasn't their first choice, Kurapika was reliable and would likely fall into the role without a hitch.
Despite that his offer was tempting, Killua shook his head and laced his hands behind his neck while rocking idly on the balls of his feet. The shoes that he wore creaked slightly from the movement. "I'll pass. Gon and I have other stuff that we want to do after we're finished with this mission."
Right away, Nobunaga appeared disappointed, a deep frown on his face and creasing his brow. He straightened before stroking his chin. "That's a shame," Nobunaga articulated slowly before stepping a bit closer. "I still firmly believe that both of you would have made great additions providing the skills that you have. Not to mention, I trust you two more than the Chain User." He finished coolly, posture slightly rigid.
"Oi Nobu!" Phinks interposed, the browless man planting both hands on his hips. "You shouldn't bother to keep asking. It's evident they have no intent on changing their minds." From beside him, Feitan grunted distinctly, the shortest Ryodan member watching the scene with growing disinterest.
"They never wanted to join us in the first place." He murmured from behind the mask concealing the lower half of his face. Both hands were nestled into hidden pockets within his ebony robes. "I think they still hate us for what happened." Feitan's grey eyes found Killua's steely ones. Even Gon's expression appeared stony.
"Maybe," Phinks chortled as he was moderately amused. "I mean we did initially chase them down before capturing them back in Yorknew. It wouldn't surprise me if they resent us for that."
Listening to the three Ryodan members have a casual conversation regarding their stance made Killua's eye twitch almost violently. He thought they no longer retained any stigma regarding the group's view of them, especially after what Chrollo had said. Their own leader wanted all of them to cooperate and possibly form a bond of sorts, which Killua didn't oppose.
Gon had even expressed support of Kurapika and Chrollo's relationship, so he didn't have any qualms working with the spiders as well.
One of Killua's hands raised up as he looked the three men dead in the eye. "Alright. Let's get one thing straight. Gon and I are not refusing because of a grudge or distrust; it's just that we promised to travel the world together and it's not something that either of us plan to change. Otherwise, Gon and I may have considered it."
There was a brief flicker of recognition on the faces of the three Ryodan, but nothing else had indicated that any of them were moved by Killua's statement. Feitan continued to appear stony, while Phinks remained unchanged. Nobunaga was the only one who may have looked visually disappointed. Despite the outcome, he hoped that both boys would have changed their minds.
"Yeah," Gon spoke immediately after, his eyes flashing with an unbridled ferocity beneath them. "And not only that, I still want to track down my dad." He added, the confidence in his tone only growing that much more.
Finding his father, Ging Freecs, was still at the top of his agenda regardless of all else. Not only had he received what clues that Ging had left behind in Greed Island, but there was the general pull to chase him down, just to prove that it could be done. Maybe Ging had no intention of seeing him, but Gon wasn't about to let that sway his decision.
It was a challenge that he personally was steadfast in completing.
Phinks tilted his head while Nobunaga stroked the sparse hair that lined his chin. The proposal Gon had was intriguing, and it piqued the samurai's interest more than anything. None of them had been aware of Gon's personal conquest, but after hearing his intransigent profession, it definitely was evident the boy wasn't about to back down now.
"I see. Then we are just wasting time standing around here," Phinks commented flatly, not motivated to carry on with their present discourse. Casting aside everything that happened over six months ago, whatever remonstrance there may have been, their Danchou had made his decision. In the end, it was a general consensus not to rebuke it.
While he still had ambivalence when it came down to his position regarding the Chain User, he had no opposition over the young man's two friends.
Though, he wasn't entirely keen on the one with the loudmouth. The lanky man was obnoxious to the point that Phinks wanted to punch his teeth to the back of his throat.
Yet, the only reason that he refrained from doing so was out of respect for their Danchou. After Chrollo and the Chain User had gotten together, they were instantly barred from harming any of the man's friends. It wasn't as if he had intended to now, anyway. The time for that had passed even though most of his comrades were still at odds regarding the Chain User's future ordination and involvement with them.
No matter how much he or any of them raised in protest, Chrollo had already declared that he had no intention of ever giving up on the Chain User. It was evident that he was utterly enamored with the blond man.
Fighting it was pointless.
"Yes. There is no reason to stay." Feitan practically reiterated, his eyes narrowing scrutinizingly. "We have treasure to find."
"I have to agree," Nobunaga supplied a moment later, his fingers continuing to move idly over his jawline. In truth, there was no use in trying to pursue the aspect of Gon and Killua joining them. They had both already made up their minds. "We should probably move on. There is a lot of ground to cover." He continued, attention shifting from the boys to both of his comrades who stood beside him.
It was then Killua took a few steps toward them. "You know that we are also searching for that very same vault." He leveled, expression firm. "It's what both Kurapika and Chrollo wanted. And with this… Succession War, or whatever is happening as well, the sooner we locate where it is, the better."
"Killua's right," Gon stated firmly, his posture stiff. "We have to work together. Besides, you might need our help."
The boy's suggestion stopped Phinks before he could saunter off, the man ceasing movement abruptly. He glanced back over his shoulder, eyes honed straight on the young Zoldyck boy. "Truthfully, we don't need your help," Phinks replied coolly, his voice laced with an underlying bitterness to it, "as we are quite capable on our own. But if you are that insistent on tagging along, then I won't stop you. Just don't get in the way."
He then fell silent and resumed walking away, Feitan settling into step beside him. Nobunaga shrugged and went to trail behind them. Killua exchanged puzzled looks with Gon but thought nothing of it and decided to chase after the retreating men. Eventually, the spiders would have to be more accepting of them.
For now, they had to cooperate as best they could and provide what skillsets they had to aid the cause. If it helped to prove to the spiders just how practical they could be, even better.
The more he and Gon worked in tandem with the Genei Ryodan, the greater their chances of putting luck on their side. Any possibility for success was crucial, especially with a battle about to take place between the Kakin royals.
It was about to get dangerous onboard the Black Whale, and with much at stake, there was little room for error.
All they had to do was discern where third prince Tserriednich was keeping the Scarlet Eyes, retrieve them, and survive the rest of the way to the Dark Continent. It was a tall order, but it had to be done.
Now, it was all or nothing.
After Thoughts: I won't lie and say this chapter wasn't a rough ride when composing it, especially with the parts where Chrollo and Kurapika were musing over what to do regarding the Nen Beasts. Although this arc continues to follow the DC arc from the manga loosely, some parts will remain canon compliant. It had been a snap decision on how I wanted to proceed with Chrollo and Kurapika retrieving the last ten pairs of Scarlet Eyes, and this route seemed to be the easiest.
Since the manga is incomplete, how this arc ends will be of my own design. Not to mention, there are a few loose ends that still need to be tied up. ;)
It's only going to get more insane from here.