THANKS FOR WAITING! And yes, I did update faster this time. Because the lovely vocal readers are being lovely. Haha (But do use the same name if you're the same person even as a guest reviewer, so I can consolidate the replies xD)
Oh, and to those asking about Alluka... I'm kinda hinting that I'll be using 'that' fan theory about the source/type/essence of Alluka's powers. *IfyouknowwhatImean* And also I am hinting something else, and this something else is very good news. Yep. Disclaimer: I wish I own Hunter x Hunter.
…
CHAPTER 30: Allusions x Key x Elena
The official announcement for the third exam was made as the Hunter Association's blimp appeared above them, creating that imposing shadow over them.
The examiners watched as the injured were ushered into the blimp; everyone conscious were moaning in pain, the rest were out-of-it. There were four people who decided to withdraw, and one person who beat four people but died soon after. All-in-all, there were a few dozen casualties. It was a low enough number, considering the records the past few years.
The remaining forty-two people took advantage of the down time. Fortunately, the blimp also carried packed-lunches (because Knuckle was totally against hunting the creatures at the moment, at the premise that they didn't have enough samples to afford losing any of them just because of mere hunger of unworthy human beings). There was also a highly-competent medical team that increased their chances of survival. They were given tents to rest for the night.
…
When Gon escaped peaceful slumber, she felt something cold gently stroking her hair. She stirred and looked up to see cerulean eyes looking at her softly. "Did I wake you?" Killua asked guiltily.
"Can't sleep?"
"Hmn." He said as his hand stopped at one place. "It's just been a while since we shared a bed." He explained, before gesturing to take away his hand to leave her to peace. But Gon smiled and caught his hand before he did so, and kept it in place.
"It's soothing," she told him, burying her face deeper into his palm. "I missed this."
Killua let out a chuckle. "You know one of the things that prove you're in love?" he asked, partly out-of-nowhere, and partly because it was the reason he slept so little. "It's when you can't fall asleep because reality feels better than your dreams." He knew they could fall asleep smiling, even through everything—because they knew the reality they'd wake up to would be just as good as this one.
"That's so greasy."
"Yeah." He laughed, and a comfortable silence filled the air between them afterwards. "Hey, Gon." He began, breaking it. "What do you think it means?" "Does that happen often?"
Knowing he was referring to Alluka, Gon shook her head. "I have seen it happen before, but this is the first time I've seen it happen with a human."
They looked at Alluka, who was sleeping peacefully between them. They smiled.
"Whatever it is, I'm relieved."
"Yeah."
...
Tonpa's eyes opened to a beautiful yellowish light. He groggily stood up and wiped his eyes, looking around as soon as he kicked away the lethargy.
His eyebrows furrowed the instant he absorbed where he was.
He was in a beautiful island—one that is very different from the one he slept on. This one did not have large sharp rocks, this island had white sands. It had palm trees and a safe-looking jungle, and no beasts in sight. He looked up to the sky and was slightly blinded by the sun, so his hand instinctively covered the glare.
But when he did so, his eyebrows furrowed even more.
He dragged his hand down to eye level and looked at all its sides.
It was thin.
He looked down at his own body.
He was thin.
"Tonpa-sama!" His line-of-thought was interrupted by a sweet voice of a woman calling to him. He turned his head and saw there was not one but three beautiful woman in bikinis running towards him. They were running in an unusual line of sand that extended to the see. He couldn't help his smile, and he ran to them.
For a while, it felt like he was floating as he ran across the soft sands. But instantaneously the sand he was stepping on suddenly felt wet and he looked at his feet. He was at sea. He could feel the solid he could step on slowly lose strength to support him, and he felt himself dropping.
He held his breath in preparation, but instead he was met by a sharp sore pain on his back instead.
"EVERYONE, WAKE UP!"
After blinking his shock away, Tonpa held up his hand. He was fat again.
"The next exam will start. Get ready."
He sighed. It was nice while it lasted.
...
Everyone was woken up pretty rudely an hour or so before dawn to the point that it took most of them several moments to absorb the fact that the pretty innocent-looking teenager with a fishing rod attached to her back that they've been seeing with the Hunters and the scary silver-head was actually their examiner.
"There are 42 people left." Gon said to Killua, Hanzo, and Goreinu who stood beside her. "With that number I'm assuming no more than a dozen people will be sent to the next examiner."
"And to think the monsters here are one of the weakest…"
Gon nodded grimly, before turning her head to the semi-circle the remaining examiners formed and stepped closer to them. "Hi guys." She said to the examinees, still absorbing the fact that she'd be the one testing them. "Oh! But first, here are the things to remember: Male turtles grunt, females hiss; Crickets chirp faster as temperature increases; frogs absorb water through their skin; and hummingbirds can fly backwards."
"Is she always this random?" Goreinu asked, even if he half-knew she definitely knew what she was doing. Killua smirked.
"You'll be surprised." He said, and resumed to watch Gon.
"This test will reward you with two things." Gon paused. "First is: Treasure!"
Murmurs of excitement exploded, eyes twinkling, and Goreinu immediately spotted who'd be the Jackpot Hunters if they passed. Not as many as he feared though, as most people from his sort already lost the race early on. Then Gon shook her head.
"Not that kind of treasure." She said, smiling because she remembered Leorio's statement in what seemed like a lifetime ago. "By treasure I mean knowledge."
Disappointed groans replaced the excited ones. There were, of course, a few people who seemed to find that more comforting. Gon silently thought of Kurapika.
"Most creatures of nature can be tamed." She began, easily ignoring them. "The larger creatures need a lot of power but if you figure out how to tame the relatively weak creatures in this island—you can survive in DC for a relatively long while."
The thwarted atmosphere seemed to have dissipated at that. Even the greediest person would want to survive at the hellhole-slash-money kingdom called the Dark Continent.
"I have placed flags of different colors on each creature, depending on difficulty. I won't say what they are now, though." "They're placed in parts of the body you could only access once you tamed them. Or killed them."
"I suggest you avoid the latter, however, because the smell of blood from carcases quickly attracts the scavengers. Those even I can't tame.
"As for the other reward… The flags will serve as your coupon." On cue, some trollies roll down from the blimp, revealing some different sorts of food. They were warmed underneath so they would taste fresh and warm even after a few hours.
"The color of the flag you get will determine the food you'll eat." She said, turning to Killua who decided on the idea early that morning. It was cool that the blimps had a few in-house chefs who would cater their requests.
In any case, the sight of the food made their stomach growl, particularly the roasted pork up front and the other delicacies in the first few trollies. The other foodstuff was plain, but almost no one would complain if one's hungry.
It was also only then they realized the wind was going away from the forests, so the food's smell (or theirs for that matter) didn't reach the beasts deeper in the forest. The insightful ones realized that it was one of the reasons why they were woken up so early.
"Moving on…" Gon uttered to interrupt the hunger-filled daze. "The area before the gorge comprises less than 5% of the island's total area." "You have seven hours. Just in time for lunch."
She raised her hand, and slashed the air in front of her. "Start."
…
They watched the remaining examiners scattered with Gon going deeper into the forest herself. Goreinu and Hanzo stood beside Killua, who had his arms crossed (thinking of how Alluka scared that beast with just standing there). "Why does she know so much?" Goreinu asked and Killua answered him nonchalantly.
"Well, she did live in the Dark Continent these past 5 years…"
"Eh?!"
"So that's where she went when we thought she's dead." Hanzo whispered before shrugging. He then excused himself to go and watch and figure out how to tame the animals as well. Shoot and Knuckle, who had been watching from behind the crowd, also disappeared. Killua had an idea they probably did the same as Hanzo.
He looked at Goreinu. "I'm definitely not going to the Dark Continent. I get pretty cash in here already." He said with a light-hearted smirk. "Now, if you'll excuse me… I'll go eat that roasted pork."
Killua let out an amused scoff as he watched Goreinu ebb towards the blimp, before turning to Gon who was already walking towards him. "Want to eat breakfast?" He offered.
"I'm going to watch them." She said and Goreinu nodded. "Alluka?"
"I have a feeling she'll be okay." Gon replied, but turned her head to the direction she felt Alluka's presence. "But we better watch her closely, just in case." She shifted her gaze to Killua who was doing the same thing she was.
Feeling her stare, he nodded. "We should also to see why the creatures act like that," he told them. "I have a feeling we'll find out something big today."
…
Meanwhile, in the mountains of Aui, a certain Leorio Paladiknight was dealing with what seemed to be the beginning of a plague. He was wearing his doctor's coat and wished he had a mask, but rather than protect his body he wanted it to cover the look of pity he couldn't seem to hide.
He observed at the weakening people around him and, as there was nothing he could do while they wait for the medicine to be choppered in, he only helped them the best he could.
It was already determined it wasn't airborne so he only needed gloves. He helped the old woman drink her water. "You are aware of the source, aren't you?" He asked, remembering how they avoided the examiners' eyes when they asked the same question. He knew that look: they were protecting the source. "I won't do anything to harm it."
The woman looked at him, but didn't answer. He sighed. "You have my word as a hunter and—more importantly—as a man."
The woman did not utter a word for a while, but her expression told him she was going to speak when she was ready. Hence, he nodded in gratitude before turning his attention to another patient in-need.
"It was that Ant girl, Reina." The old woman told him as soon as they were alone. "I don't regret anything though." She said. "We all loved her when she was human. I can't imagine the guilt she's feeling now." The old woman closed her eyes, tired, but she managed to ask him a favour before she lost consciousness.
"Do me a favour and help her? Please. She lives in the second to the last hut by the far western side of the village." She whispered, just before losing consciousness.
Ant girl? He repeated to himself, but had no idea what that meant. In any case, he asked one of his assistants to carry the old woman to her bed and he went to the western side of the village.
It wasn't difficult to figure out which house it was, because it was the only one. Leorio arranged his tie and gulped. "Hello…?" He voiced out nervously. "Good morning. Anyone here?"
There was dead silence for a moment and he thought no one was at home. But then he heard a shuffle—and felt a small aura—and he turned his head to its direction. Slowly, a figure revealed itself from the shadows and his eyes widened at the sight.
When he heard of an ant girl… he didn't think it was an ant girl.
"H-Hello there." He voiced out, trying his best not to appear faltered. "I'm a doctor. And you are?"
"My name is R-Reina."
"So… I've been told you know how this epidemic began?" He asked as gently as he could, really unable to word it out any better at the moment. She cried.
"I had a nightmare," She told him, sobbing. "I bit my mum by accident." "It was okay for a few days, mama was kind and gentle, but then she suddenly had a fever and she paled and paled, and everyone else paled and—" She hid her face in shame. "I'm so sorry..." she said, albeit Leorio was sure the apology wasn't directed at him at all.
Leorio gulped and raised his hand to pat her keratin head. "I-It's okay, it's not your fault, the grandma from the other hut said so."
It made her sob even more.
He sweat-dropped and considered pulling Cheadle here. If only she wasn't so busy in her mobile laboratory. God knew they needed maternal women at the moment, and Cheadle—despite her general stubbornness—was the strongest candidate.
But in the middle of his panic, he heard scuffles from outside. He frowned and mumbled complaints. What was it this time? He asked no one in particular, before stomping to the village. "What's happening?"
He did not expect everyone to be looking up at the sky, some scared and some just curious.
"It's a bird!"
"It's a blimp!"
"No, it's—"
It was a flying humanoid creature with odd shaped hair.
The hunters on site were suddenly in battle positions, while Leorio—with Reina right behind him—was on defensive. The creature gracefully landed some hundred feet from the nearest hunter, with both hands raised. "I'm not here to kill anyone." He said, effectively getting everyone to freeze. After all, did it just speak?
Leorio would've lost his footing if he hadn't met a human-like ant—are they what are called chimeara ants? But were they supposed to be literate?—a few minutes prior.
But as if things weren't already confusing, Reina intrepidly stepped forward and went closer to the new creature. "O-Onii-san?"
The bird boy's eyes widened and his face softened immediately. "Reina."
At this, the girl's water well began filling up again, and she ran as fast as she could to her brother. "Onii-san!" she yelled, and he knew they'd be inseparable after that. Leorio felt an odd mix of disbelief, sadness, nostalgia, and relief at the sight. But mostly disbelief.
"Hush. It's okay. You're not alone." He heard the bird-boy say in between Reina's sobs of apology. "Mom would be happy we're together again." "She'll be happier if we protect each other, ne?"
Reina couldn't say a word.
…
Leorio stood by the door of the house as Colt sent his little sister to sleep. By the time, he already had an idea of what happened—and he immediately felt remorse for fearing them in the first place.
Colt eventually went out the door, standing straight, and oozed the aura of an adult. "You're really just fifteen?" Leorio asked.
"I got killed and reborn as half-an-animal." He pointedly told him. "I don't think I'm just fifteen."
"Well, you're dealing with what happened to you well."
"If pain doesn't lead to growth..." he paused. "Then you waste your suffering."
Leorio smirked at this, thinking: Wise brat.
…
Leorio entered the mobile laboratory by the then-untilled fields. He watched as Cheadle's concentrated stare moved from test tube to test tube and held them up one by one—a number of vials filled with blood to her right—examining the contents at eye level, waiting for reactions to her experiments.
She sighed. "Would be great if Geru's here, especially when she's staying not too far away." Cheadle mumbled. Geru just gave birth. And as much as they wanted to pull her into the investigation, they didn't want to risk it.
"How's everything going?" He asked, and by that he meant the cure.
"Horrible."
"You couldn't isolate the virus?"
"I'm offended, Leorio."
Leorio shrugged, and Cheadle continued her explanation. "It's pretty common for epidemics due to viruses that originally came from animals." She explained. "More often than not, the original carriers are already immune to it.
"It's a virus, but the chemical composition of the best antiviral drug I can think of—well, that's where the problem is."
"What do you mean?"
"The chemical composition is only found in plants with genus Juinguia," she told him as if it was the worst thing in the world. Maybe it was. "And there is only one recorded to have obtained some of those."
"Well, at least it was found by someone." He said, a bit relieved. "So, who was it?"
Cheadle sighed, knowing how difficult this would be.
"Ging Freecs."
…
294th HUNTER EXAM
Hours Later
Gon and Killua effortlessly passed through one patch of forest to another (with Killua noting the humidity every hundred meters or so), and ended up witnessing one Pondungo Lapoy playing with her hair. Literally.
They stopped and stood on their own branches, watching the small-statured hunter-to-be pulled out her hair that suddenly seemed to have no limits in length. Its color soon noticeably changed gradients and Gon narrowed her eyes in awe, turning to him. "Her hair's turned to straw!"
Earlier (even before this), because of its dryness, he actually thought that maybe it was straw. Killua did not say so out loud, however.
Anyway, they continued to their observation with amused, but keen, eyes. Pondungo's straw/hair was now several meters long and she wrapped it around an area with two massive mounds. "Ehh..." Gon mumbled, dropping down to sit on her branch. Killua had no idea what was happening but he shrugged, thinking he'd like a surprise. He sat next to Gon, wondering if he should heat up a few acorns.
When Pondungo finished, she just stood there before finally releasing her zetsu. The earth begun to move as if sensing her and two of the three mounds got taller. Killua blinked and if he was the 12-year-old him, he may have let go of his zetsu due to surprise.
His face twitched when he saw skin emerge from the ground and realized they were not mounds—they were massive turtles. The ground continued to rise until they were a storey tall. He'd find out a moment later that, due to their size, they weren't slow at all.
Podungo was managing to avoid their attacks and soon it was revealed that the creatures couldn't go over the enclosure the straw made. It was sturdy invisible wall, but when Podungo used it seemed like extra-flexible rubber that one could climb.
As they frequently bumped into each other or to the wall, they began making annoyed sounds. One of the tale grunted, the other hissed, and Killua remembered Gon's clue. His eyes ended up on the third mound and, based on what was slowly being revealed by all the chaos and how the two turtles were avoiding it, he realized they were eggs.
Podungo continuously avoided the one hissing, and seemed to have focused her attention on the other one. "Let me guess..." Killua mumbled. "Females with their children can't be tamed."
"Sort of." Gon grinned. "They can be tamed, if they're sure their children are far from harm's way." "But in this case... that's not possible."
Podungo continually hit the male on parts not covered with his shell, until she hit its adam's apple. Almost immediately, the turtle contracted and was nowhere to be seen, hidden deep within his shell. Podungo (and Killua) grinned at the sight of a red flag hanging just at the mouth of the shell.
"She's an amateur contract hunter, isn't she?" Killua said. "It'll be interesting to see how she'd use that on her future clients." Then he saw the color of the flag. "And isn't that a red flag? The highest one?"
"That's one of the difficult catches, so she gets a coupon for the buffet."
"How is that difficult?"
"See that shell?" Gon asked, pointing at the turtle's stone-like shelter. "Even a master enhancer wouldn't be able to damage that." She said, sounding like a teacher. "So in some areas of the Dark continent, these gentle turtles are already an endangered species. Their shells are the strongest shields humans could make."
Killua nodded in interest, impressed, and inwardly wondering just how much more they'd discover when they get there.
…
They encountered two more participants who were failing after that. Or more accurately, about to die. Gon tamed the beast and Killua brought the contestants to the starting point, telling them the classic 'better luck next time' line before running to Gon again. He caught up with her watching the fat guy.
He was running away from the frog that was thrice as large as he was. With his experience, he lasted much longer than most people would have, and even had the reflex to avoid its long tongue.
Around the pond there were three water vessels and cups, which meant they could be drunk by the contestants. There was one vessel with natural water, one with salt water, and water with artificial additives. There was also a notable amount of beehives around the area, as well.
Gon whispered to Killua that as frogs absorb water through their skin, the means to beat them had something to do with those vessels.
Tonpa soon figured that out himself. Although, thinking frogs were similar to snails who suffer with salt, decided to throw some salt water. "Fresh water makes them natural, salt water agitated, and water with artificial items make them enraged." She told Killua and Killua cackled at Tonpa's choice.
When the fat man—terrified at the sudden jerkiness and increased swiftness of its tongue—decided to throw the water with artificial additives, instead. At Tonpa's suffering, Killua laughed out loud.
"HELP ME!" He yelled, a second away from getting eaten. He thought with despair that perhaps this was why the skies gave him such a beautiful dream that morning. It did not help that that BRAT was laughing-out-loud.
"WE WILL! Admit you failed though!" Killua yelled with a grin, suddenly recalling Tonpa's failures during the first time he took the exam. He recalled his transgressions, too, and Killua had a sudden desire to make him suffer.
"You jer—GAH!" Tonpa squealed like a girl as he felt the slimy tongue enveloping him. "Okay I admit it I admit it—"
And after a flop the frog had let him go, gracefully hopping away to its own little pond. Tonpa blinked at managed to stand up when he realized Gon was standing over him, no doubt responsible for saving his life (again).
"Thanks." He said, only to realize she had a beehive on her hand.
"Honey's the secret." She said, pointing at the frog with honey on its head. Killua smirked and took it, and the next thing Tonpa knew the hive was in his hands.
Tonpa soon joined the frog in the pond.
…
Killua went to find Alluka, while Gon saw Banana and decided to watch her for a little while. The other girl went against the hummingbirds, whose beaks were as long as an average human being. As expected of Kaito's protégées, they're much faster at figuring out these creatures weaknesses than all the other contestants.
Hummingbirds could fly backwards, and that fact had something to do with their weakness.
Banana jumped and makes a feint attack, forcing it to fly backward. But Banana manoeuvres herself back down to the ground and sprinted so she jumped near the back of the bird. Its sensitive spot was, apparently, on the back of its neck. It evolved with the capability to fly backwards to protect it.
Looking at the flag she got, Banana Kavaro would be eating salad buffet that lunch.
...
And then there was Alluka., who had no problems taming the creatures. She literally just stood there and held out her hand.
"Amazing." Gon said. "And scary."
Killua nodded, before turning to Gon. She must have an idea what was going on, but she probably wasn't certain yet so she wasn't saying anything. What he was certain of, though, was that this could be a really good or really bad thing.
His worries somewhat triggered the memory of Netero's words. "You know what they say 'Don't cross the stream to get water'." Take what you could get, it meant. Don't be choosy.
One step at a time, he reminded himself. At least for now, he was sure Alluka would be safe with them in the Dark Continent.
Heck, she might be the safest one in there.
...
Meanwhile, Hanzo, being the curious ninja that he was, decided to try and figure out the unfortunate creature nearest him: a cricket. One whose leg was his height.
Crickets and temperature, he mused, recalling Gon's tip.
He guessed he needed to cool the atmosphere down, and for that, he used evaporative cooling. However how he did it was—In his own words—a "ninja's secret."
"What do I get with green flag?" he asked proudly as he encountered Gon and Killua, already making a script of his cryptic evaporative cooling technique.
"One piece chicken leg."
"EHHH?"
…
There were seven people who passed had already eaten happily and was then inside with Elena, currently doing their final exam. The non-hospitalized failures, on the other hand, had to eat something bland both for lunch (which they were still eating because it just tasted so plain). That meant Tonpa was blabbering about being unlucky and failing again, which was extra-ridiculous because of the sting marks that covered his face. "The longer the tongue, the shorter the hands." Killua said, shamelessly eating his fried chicken.
Gon, on the other hand, looked at Tonpa's stubby hands. "Oh I see."
"You two are rude!" He yelled, before he was completely ignored when Shoot (with Knuckle reluctantly behind him) walked closer.
"We are impressed by your knowledge, Gon-san. Aren't we Knuckle?"
"You weren't bad." Knuckle managed to say (barely without stuttering). Shoot sighed, Killua rolled his eyes again. Knuckle must be the biggest tsundere in all the continents.
"How do you think those seven are going?" Gon asked, oblivious, and still thinking about her friends then doing the final part of the exam. She was especially worried because the final exam started as soon as the fourth ended. The fact that she couldn't sense any significant fluctuations in nen actually made her worry. "I hope no one's injured..."
Killua remembered the time he first took the final exam. He killed someone who had no business getting killed, a friendly old martial artist who simply wanted to pass. The final exam of the 287th exam didn't suppose to have any casualties at all. He feared the universe might get back at him—through his baby sister.
An hour passed by (slowly) and they turn their heads to a familiar aura coming out of the massive tent. It was Ponzu, who had eye bags, but nevertheless a grin on her face. She was followed by Podungo Lapoy and Banana Kavaro.
"What type of exam was it?" Tonpa asked, gulping down the last of his food. The girls turned silent, grim, and dark in response.
"It was a written exam."
"EH?!"
"We were kidding."
Three more people soon came out and they were pale, practically devoid of life, and Tonpa suddenly realized he was actually pretty lucky to have met that blasted frog.
"I'm guessing it's psychological." Goreinu mumbled lazily with his chin on his palm. Gon and Killua, meanwhile, gulped. Where's Alluka?
And as if on cue, a bubbly voice squealed. "I passed, I passed!" She yelled, revealing herself with a grin, running to Gon and Killua for a happy embrace.
"Well, then. Four people—" Elena paused right behind Alluka (Gon swear she sent Alluka a fearful look), but then their eyes met and Elena brightened. "Is that you, Gon?" "Oh my goodness!" She yelled, running like Alluka to hug the girl. Gon chuckled and hugged her back.
"We actually became examiners to meet you." She paused. "You didn't know we were here at all?"
"I had a lot in my mind." Elena admitted with a shrug. "Still, I have to say I'm honoured." She chirped and brightened further as she blabbed on, oblivious at the people watching. "Have you contacted the others yet? They're dying to see you again. The last letter we received from you was more than a year ago!" "Sorry."
"Mah, that's okay." "Anyway. It's time to celebrate!"
…
Dinner was wonderful and even the failures who stayed were allowed to eat. There were a variety of sets from different cultures and continents. The music was lively, the few decors colourful, and the atmosphere was indeed celebratory.
Killua was eating rainbow duck leg when Elena appeared beside him. "Who is she?" Elena asked, facing Alluka. Killua answered her question and she definitely looked surprised at his answer.
"What is it?" Killua asked.
"I don't really know much. But—" She stopped herself and gave Killua a careful look. Killua knew it had something to do with Alluka's powers.
"It's Okay. No. In fact, please tell me."
"I think there's... something inside that girl."
Killua's nonchalant expression soon became dire. "Yeah, we call it Nanika. But I think it's even more mysterious than we thought it was." "We just thought it was a special nen power, which it could be, but it's definitely something more."
Elena nodded. "I see. I think it has something to do with the Dark Conti—" Elena paused, just as they saw Gon catching sight of them and gestured to join them. The two women grinned at each other.
"Anyway," She repeated. "What can I do for you two to have you going all the way here to see me?"
Gon and Killua beamed as they looked at each other, before turning to Elena and told her what they needed. Unfortunately, her reaction was less than ideal.
"I'm afraid it's not so simple." Elena mumbled, shaking her head. "My abilities have pretty strict limits."
Of course it did, they mused, feeling idiotic for knowing—but not quite understanding (or refusing to understand)—just how an extremely powerful technique like transporting people would need quite a limitation.
Gon sighed in disappointment. And Killua tried to formulate the next move. "Can we know what it is?" He asked, and Elena smiled in understanding.
"I can only transport with ease people within the radius of my En sphere." She told him, and Killua did a bit of math as she talked. "That is pretty much a mile beyond the farthest reach of Greed Island. When I'm there, of course.
"Or, if outside, I can only transport to Game Masters—with the condition of winning the game." Her face softened. "That condition was pretty much forced on me by Ging. I never thought of doing it at all. I guess he knew what you'd ask, even when you were still a baby back then."
"You cannot transport people at all otherwise?"
"Oh I can," Elena answered almost immediately. "But I can guarantee that it won't work properly."
"How bad?"
"Like you could be transported kilometres away from the person, or even somewhere in the middle of the ocean, or maybe in some more dangerous void…"
"Or maybe in the mouth of a volcano." Gon supplied and Killua shook his head.
"Thanks Gon."
"No problem." Gon shrugged but, as a second of silent passed, her eyes brightened at an idea. "Greed Island winners can take the full benefits, right? Then... can't we just win again?"
"You can only win once, Gon." Elena felt sorry and felt like laughing at the girl's eager expression. God, she missed this kid. "You're not supposed to even enter the game anymore."
"Yeah." Gon uttered, unfazed. "But...
"What if Killua wins the game this time?"
…
Elena and Killua watched as Gon chatted with the others in glee, once again leaving Killua and Elena alone to chat, congratulating them and grinning that bright smile of hers as always. The latter tried to remember how List described the boy, but she thought the boy's affections for Gon was much stronger than one could describe.
Still, for a while without Gon, silence stood between them.
"Bisuke complained about the transport system being out of service." He said, partly trying to break the silence, because—as he was rudely reminded a while back—the GM's were important people to Gon.
Killua still remembered the last day he and Gon spent before the separation. It was still so vivid that he could recall the words. 'The Game Masters are her family, too' List said at the time, and it hit him more than it should've.
But he was also reminded that even with all the paths to happiness laid out for her, Gon chose to live it with him.
So he decided he should do what he could.
"I know, I know." She said with a smile, replying to his Bisuke-comment. "But I accepted this job because it was time for me to go to the association anyway." One of my jobs now is to transport things for the Hunters in the Dark Continent."
"…have you been there before?"
She nodded, but her light smile completely gone. "It's place where every birthday is a victory party."
It made him nervous. The sensations of losing Gon all those years ago flooded back. He doubted they'd feel less painful any time soon. "How do I become invincible?"
"Have you heard of the saying 'your vulnerabilities will reveal your strengths'?"
He shook his head, and she just smiled warmly in understanding.
"The people who has something to protect is the strongest," she told him. "You just have to remember that. It works—even in the Dark Continent."
"Oh, before I forget." "I think you'll make a great partner for Gon." He blushed at this. "And don't believe Ging if he says otherwise. He's pretty shy."
"…ah."
"But I think you're doing great," Elena patted his shoulder with a teasing grin. "For someone who'll be trying to impress a future father-in-law, that is."
.
.
END OF CHAPTER 30
Coming Soon:
CHAPTER 31: Tragedy x Fights x Reconciliation
Closure is not the end. It is the beginning of another journey.
REPLIES TO ANGELS
RaNDoem – hahaha IKR. I've always loved the mother-scolding-husband-like-he's-a-kid dynamic. I couldn't resist. XD Anyway, so happy you like this chapter as well! And thanks for reviewing. ;D
RavenZaoldyeck99 – You're welcome! And thank you for reading and reviewing my story as well. I'm super flattered you look up to my story. *blushes* I like your stories as well; Fem!Gon Banzaiii
Grandpamuffin – I'm glad you like it! I'm being a bit vague on the Dark Continent tho because we don't know much about it yet. xD Thank you for reviewing btw~!
Pri-Chan 1410 – Thank you for reviewing! Hahah. I am very happy to know you're having fun! (Like Alluka was haha). Do enjoy this chap as well!
Slytherin Studios – Thanks for reviewing! I am very glad you like the chap as well~! :D
Hikar1m1ra – Thank you for loving the chapter! And saying so. Haha. Oh, and if you didn't know there's actually a fan theory I'm basing Alluka's skills on. *wink* And oh, enjoy this chap as well!
Angaebi – Yay! It means a lot that my characterization seems to be improving. Thanks for pointing it out, and I hope you like this chap as well!
Little Numbers – Thank you for reviewing! Badass Alluka is awesome and adorable, yeah?! Haha. And I'll do my best!
Reah-Kitsune – *hugs you back* OF COURSE I'M ALIVE haha. My laptop's dying tho. Lalalala. Anyway, I will forever be happy to know that I somehow help make your stressful day better. You can do it! Figghhtttt-O! :DD Oh, and I hope your injury's OK now and thanks for reviewing! xD
Dragonbooks249 – Yep! I'm hinting a fan theory about Alluka the previous chap. I'm putting it out more in this one. I'm glad you're having fun as well, and thx for reviewing!
Pitou77 – Yes, yes it did! xD I'll deal with the other characters soon, I hope lol. And ask away! I don't mind answering them. I'm flattered you think I'm a gifted writer. I'll do my best and thx for reviewing~
Phoenix-thunder – Happy 900th! Haha. And thanks! I'm really very giddy right now. And you're right! It's because of Nanika. Hopefully it's like that in canon as well or else we're gonna have some problems. Lalalala. Thank you for reviewing btw! And I shall try my best to keep it up~
Angelkitty27 – Actually, even Alluka will be wearing the pants. Hahaha. It's a pants family! xD Thank you for commenting btw, and I hope you like this!
Wolf girl – (ch1) Thank you for reviewing! Hope you're here in the latest chap to see this reply tho. xD
Prisska, david, riri, kboi, 0o0o – (I'm assuming you're the same person or a group of friends who know each other. Tell me if I'm wrong, ne?) Thank you for the reviews, first of all! I was so pleasantly surprised to see a lot of comments came in within the same day. xD Bazaiii fem Gon and banzaiii my laptop's recovery! Hope you like this chap as well.
Betareader offer – Thank you for offering! And I agree. I need it. But unfortunately, the time needed for coordination will make it too difficult for me. *sobs* Thanks for the offer tho!
Ria – hahaha. You and your friend are so cute. xD Well, tell her I say thanks for reviewing, then! xDD Do enjoy this chap. :D
Titan slayer – Yes, yes there is! There is a prequel for this story tho.
Fei – It's okay! But I do suggest you read that first. xD Thanks for reviewing btw!
Nameless x 2 – Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you like the DC thing, although I'll be doing the actual thing a little later.
Book lover – Thank you! Thumbs up to you for reviewing as well! xDD
Egichuu – Thank you for reviewing! I hope you like this chapter as well, my friend! :D
Kate Roses – (ch20) Heheh indeed! The time skips give me space, and glad you like it! Thank you for reviewing!
Chaniii – Hey, you! xD Illumi's backstory? Hmnn... interesting. I'll try, but I don't know yet where I'll be putting it. Noted tho, and thanks for the suggestion!
Meme, legit, major kboi fan – (I'm assuming you're the same person. Tell me if I'm wrong ne? :D ) But whatever the case, thank you for reviewing—all of you! xD I hope to keep hearing from you. :D
Guest [Nov 6 2015] – (ch11) Not sure what you mean but does it have to do with his reluctance? :D Hope you actually get here to read this, btw!
Giotto27 – hahah. It's like that with daughters right? Hell, my dad is exactly like Killua right now. Lol. Thank you for reviewing btw!
Guest [11/9/15], Neru, and Her Again – Tell me if I'm wrong but here I'm assuming you're the same person. Tell me if you're not, pls! xDD Anyway, thank you for the reviews! All of them are thoroughly appreciated. :D And if you're asking why I titled this Two Rivers, the main answer's shown in the ending of the prequel and other things. It's a symbol of fates meeting (in the sea) and it also pertains to the sheer scale of what is known and unknown about the sea/ocean etc etc.
Loug – (ch1) Hi there! I'm glad you think I'm nice, first of all. I can't really open my PM for various reasons tho. Do you have facebook? I have an authorpage there. It's a good place to talk.
Ledorius – (ch13) *Looks at what the chap is about* OH I SEE. I agree, I loved writing that chapter. I'm very glad you liked it in particular. xD
Dunn – Yay! I'm glad you liked both Two Rivers. xD. Hopefully I can make it so that you feel like that til the end. Thanks for reviewing btw!
Ruru – (Ch20) Thank you for reviewing! I am very glad to know you think it's a good chapter. Hopefully you'll enjoy the rest. xD (Ch21) You're at work?! xD I hope you don't get reprimanded! Haha. Thanks again for the reviews. (ch22) No, no, no review is too much for me! Please do as you wish. I just need to know it's you so I can reply properly. (ch19) You came back just to give a review? How sweet. xD And glad you liked it! But yes I agree. I've been peeking on earlier chapters as well, and I realized how much more fun they were.
Guest [11/9/15] and waiting – (ch1) To Guest: Yes. Yes I am a fan of Harry Potter. xD And to waiting: HERE IT IS! I dunno why I suddenly have so many guest reviews but it sure did help advance my updates. xD
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