Hello, lovely readers! How have you been?
First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone for supporting this story! Whenever I see the number of kudos and bookmarks becoming higher, I feel such happiness! Seriously, I can't believe you're enjoying this story! It's so rewarding and sweet to see that you're all looking forward to the next updates whenever I publish a new chapter! Thank you all so, so much for the love!
Also, I would like to let you know that I 'm going through a big, wonderful moment in my life, so I'll have to focus entirely on my personal life. But don't worry, it's not right now. I'm just warning you guys beforehand so you don't worry about my absence, and I'll make sure to remind you guys of this before I post one last chapter and enter hiatus. I hope you understand ?
By the way, the next chapters are just... You know what? I won't give too many details or it might ruin the surprise lol
Please do not forget: updates take place every Monday and Friday from 12pm to 5 pm PST!
See you,
—Cherry
gonaaidthenword: Yes, it is! This story was finished in 2020, but I deleted it this January and decided to fix any mistakes/rewrite a couple of things as I published. It is currently being posted here, on Quotev, on Wattpad and also on AO3. I'm glad you came back to reread it! I promise it's way better this time, I'm working really hard on translating it properly!
lynnell246: I'm glad you're anxious for new updates! Thank you for sticking around!
"The price to pay for invading our home and trying to steal from our family is high, Miss Lanfort. In other circumstances, you'd certainly be dead by now." Zeno said, gray eyes staring at his grandson the whole time. "Still, I see potential in you."
"I'm flattered, really." She replied politely, but there was no sign of a smile on her face, unlike the other times. "It's quite an honor to hear such a thing from an important man like you."
He grinned. "I suppose it is. Well, thanks to your potential and the bond you share with Killua, I think it's fair enough to give you a less severe punishment… A chance at survival, if you will."
Next to her, the white-haired boy exhaled slowly.
He boldly raised his chin and arched an eyebrow, ready to hear his grandfather's decision and try to intervene if he had to.
If there was one thing that she had never expected was to be defended by a fourteen-year-old teen. Not that she was angry. It was simply because she was too used to dealing with the consequences of her actions herself, she was the one who got herself out of her own problems — which were a lot.
It was comforting, but worrisome. Although she was touched by this demonstration of affection, she also felt worried to think that they were developing some real emotional bond. Her mind was conflicted on whether she should be happy or terrified.
Because friendships… They never worked for Medea.
"Since you came here for the Scroll of Tchingsen, we won't let you leave empty-handed. You did open the Testing Gates and managed to stay undercover for a considerable amount of time… And, well, we are not unfair. But for this to happen, you will need to pass a small test first." He turned away from her and his grandson, heading towards the door. "Follow me."
"What about us?" Asked one of Illumi's suitors.
"The real candidates shall wait here until we are finished. Our butlers will keep an eye on you and won't hesitate to attack if any problem arises."
The family followed him, putting an effort not to reveal any emotions regarding the patriarch's choice.
Silva didn't look at her at all, but Medea saw when he flared his nostrils. He was certainly enraged. His wife's visor moved towards her analytically as she walked behind her husband. Medea didn't know exactly what to expect from her, but she didn't look as scary as her husband, although she did seem to have a sharp tongue.
Behind her, Kalluto followed suit. His big pink eyes lingered on his older brother's figure with admiration, before focusing on Alluka, and becoming cold in an instant. How weird. Finally, he looked at the thief. He seemed curious, probably due to Killua standing up for her and the form she was protecting his sister. However, he didn't hold on to her for long and faced forward again.
The other brother, whose name was still unknown to her, seemed to be about her age, and didn't appear to be interested in any of the three figures because all he did was mutter something about wasting time and video games while he accompanied the family.
Finally, Illumi came in her direction.
His eyes looked at Killua attentively, as if absorbing his appearance, then moved to Alluka. He scowled. His eyes scanned her from head to toe, clearly unhappy with the girl's presence there.
Medea felt her blood boil. How could anyone look at a relative like that?
She stood between them, shielding Alluka, but he just stared at her, the corner of his lips curling upwards minimally. "Go ahead with our family, Kil. Medea, you come with me." The bitter way that Illumi enunciated her name made something inside her stir.
Why did he hate her so much? She had done nothing to him besides becoming defensive whenever they met.
What a dick.
"I will keep an eye on you. Any movement that I consider potentially violent and you lose your head, are we clear?"
"Do that and I swear you'll never see me again." Killua stated soberly. "That's a warning."
Illumi's brows furrowed.
He stared at his brother, then at Medea. The cynical smile on his lips disappeared.
Medea placed her hand on Killua's shoulder, shaking her head. "It's okay." She ensured the boy. "I got myself into this situation, there's no need to cause more trouble for you or Alluka."
Alluka hugged her from behind, shaking her head vehemently. "No. No way. I won't let you."
Medea sighed. She turned around and stared into her eyes. "You must."
"Don't go with him, Dee, please." She pleaded, her blue eyes utterly fearful, making her gulp down. "He might hurt you."
"He won't." She whispered. She could only hope that was true. "Do you trust me?" Alluka frowned, but nodded slightly. Medea stroked her cheek and smiled. "Good girl."
"Can we proceed, or are you going to keep talking to this thing for the rest of the night?" Inquired Illumi.
She walked to him, horrified. "Dude, what the fuck? She's your sister!"
"I have no sister."
"The last time I checked, this girl sure as hell carried the same blood as you in her veins, the same nose, the same eyes all of your siblings have… So, fuck me if I'm wrong, but Alluka is your sister."
"I have no sister." He repeated, eyes narrowed like those of a snake.
"Seriously?" Medea hissed. "You're a terrible brother."
"No, I am not."
"Alluka, Killua, both of you can go ahead," She told them, eyes never averting from his. "I'll accompany Illumi before he decides to throw a bitch fit."
"But, Dhea…"
"Go, Killua." Ordered Illumi, glaring at her as well.
The boy stood there for a few more seconds before sighing and pulling Alluka with him through the metal doors.
Medea didn't wait for the assassin. He was nothing but an arrogant and horrible man, there was no reason for her to do so. Instead, she marched across the training room as if she was the one in control of the situation, which was not the case.
Her mind drifted to Kurapika. If her debt to him was high, after this mess it'd be the size of a skyscraper; she couldn't even imagine all the things she would have to do to repay him. Unfortunately, knowing him, he'd probably reject any attempt of retribution. It was sweet and annoying.
Illumi's gaze burned her skin like a cattle branding. It remained on her as they walked out of the room, as they climbed the stairs towards the first floor, as she fixed her gloves… No matter what she did, he kept staring at her.
She closed her eyes, patience running thin.
As they walked, his heavy and thirsty aura imposed itself on hers like a tsunami, wishing to devour everything it could touch. It was unbearable. It was like being crushed against the floor.
She inhaled. Exhaled. Inhaled again.
Turning to the man, who watched her without a shred of modesty, the woman arched an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
"Keeping an eye on you, as I said I would." He replied monotonously.
"Well, stop."
"No."
"It's annoying."
"So?"
"So you don't have to study every movement I make like I'm some sort of lab rat. I won't try anything funny, I know what you can do."
"I'm no fool. I know people like you." Illumi said.
"People like me?"
"Treacherous. Liars. Violent."
She widened her eyes. "I am not treacherous!"
"Lasym would disagree."
Medea sighed. "Fine, whatever."
"And now that you seem to have twisted and manipulated Killua's mind, I have to keep an even closer eye on you." He explained, a hint of annoyance in his words. "It's dangerous for him to be next to people like you."
"Excuse me? I didn't manipulate Killua! We're friends, he cares for me and I care for him, it's not like I'm a professional manipulator or some other shit you consider me to be!" She defended herself.
Black eyes squinted. "Assassins do not need friends."
"He's not an assassin."
"Yet."
"Highly doubt he will ever become one, but sure, believe what you will, sugar pie." She mocked.
"He is better off without you." He declared, not caring about her taunting behavior.
"Well, there's something we agree on. Both him and Alluka could find a better company, but, oh, well… What can I do?"
"Force him to get away from you." His tone was harsh, like he, too, was annoyed by their proximity. "You will bring nothing but emptiness to his life, and I'll be damned if I allow my brother to be led astray because of a woman like you."
Medea stopped walking and sighed. "A woman like me? What do you mean by that?"
"Vile and futile and arrogant. You're no good, Lanfort. You're nothing but an obstacle in other people's lives."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll ask you a genuine question, Illumi." Her voice sounded tired. "Why didn't you kill me when you had the chance? Had you done it before, we wouldn't be going through this right now."
For a moment, he seemed taken aback by the question.
Without saying anything, he untied the silver mask and placed the object inside his pocket, combing the black strands that had fallen onto his face during the waltz with his hand.
When he merely walked past her, Medea started to move again, trying to keep up his pace. They went up another flight of stairs in silence and she thought that maybe he was on Illumi mode again; he didn't seem to sketch any more expressions, it was worrying her.
Suddenly he turned to her, face still slightly marked in the region where the mask had been, and answered: "Because I didn't want to. My contract was to kill Evanor Lasym and him alone. There was no need to waste my time on you."
She rolled her eyes. "Terrible decision on your part."
"I have to disagree." He commented with that bizarrely cheerful tone. "As my grandfather stated, you have potential. You're just too dumb and unprepared to develop it correctly."
"Hey!"
"In addition, it was quite interesting to research about your life..." He approached her and lowered his voice, whispering with mockery: "It's not every day that a Hunter with such a promising future turns out to have a past tied with a brothel in Proyca, right?"
Medea froze.
Slowly, she stared at the man, trying to be sure of what she had just heard. The smile on his lips left no doubt that he was not bluffing, Illumi really knew about her past.
How had he found out?
There was no information about that in the association system.
Had he heard Evie comment on that? But how?
She shook her head and kept walking. "I was already aware that you were a jerk, but I had no idea you were also delirious."
"Do you really think I wouldn't comprehend why you used that kanzashi as a weapon? I am not a fool, thief." He snickered. "Oh, and by the way, it is quite useful in combat indeed, specially when in skilled hands like mine."
Her eyes widened and felt the air drain from her lungs. "You're the one who took it…" She muttered, recalling the previous events. "Of course it was you! I knew I'd left him at the Kaniv! Oh Great Glorious, how could I not realize it sooner?"
"Because you were too busy trying to blackmail Lasym into letting you lead the mission." He answered, apparently bored. "I thought prostitutes were more careful with their belongings."
Medea raised her chin, proud, and said: "I'm not a prostitute, I'm a Hunter." She emphasized the title. "Besides, that wasn't my symbol at the brothel. It belonged to an... acquaintance."
Illumi blinked and tilted his head to the side. "Oh, so your kleptomania comes from childhood? Interesting."
"I'm not a kleptomaniac! Stealing stuff is simply part of my job, that's all!" She crossed her arms. "You kill people for money, and yet you're not a serial killer. We're not that different."
"But we are."
"We are not."
"Do you really think you can compare yourself to me?"
Before she could even respond, he turned to the small display on the door and typed a password.
The metal doors slid to the side, revealing an enormous library.
Countless dark wooden shelves were distributed around the place, several books occupying their shelves, probably organized in alphabetical order. Around the room, ancient and delicate decorations were on display, all equally beautiful and intriguing, as well as paintings and other artifacts that she was sure could only be bought on the black market.
In the middle of the library was the Zoldyck family, all perfectly poised, except for Killua and Alluka, who stood in a corner to create a certain distance.
A hand touched her skin, right between her shoulder blades, pushing her inside rather harshly. She slapped his arm and glared at him. "Do not touch me!" That, however, only made him roll his eyes, so she paid him no mind, opting to face Zeno instead. "What do I have to do to get the scroll?"
"Straightforward, I see…" He chuckled.
"You're too authoritative for someone whose life is on the line." Said the corpulent brother, drawing her gaze to him.
"I'm sorry, did I ask for your opinion?"
"No, but—"
"Precisely. Now shut the fuck up before I make you find out what your own ass tastes like." Kalluto widened his eyes slightly and opened his fan, covering the lower part of his face. She suspected he was smiling like Killua.
"Enough!" Silva hissed, looking at her from head to toe. "You'd better control that vicious tongue of yours before I rip it out."
Medea said nothing, but narrowed her eyes at the man.
His wife appeared from somewhere among the bookshelves, with a small black box and something that seemed to be an inkwell in her hands. Zeno deposited a paper and a feather pen on the mahogany table in front of him, pushing them towards Medea, who approached and sat on the chair.
She looked up, trying to understand what he meant by that.
"In order for me to give you Tchingsen's scroll, you will have to sign that document."
She frowned. "That's all?"
"Obviously not, otherwise I would not have said that you have a chance to survive." He motioned for his daughter-in-law to come closer and she put the ink cartridge in the middle of the table, handing the velvet box to Illumi. Medea stared at the assassin, who seemed to know what it was about, a serene countenance on his face. "In the box that Illumi is holding there is a drug called Whispers of the Abyss, it was used during the Irhenian period to punish blasphemers. Have you ever heard of it?"
Medea bit her lower lip. "No…"
"It's a narcotic made with some hallucinogenic substances, but it also has two dangerous components: Hell powder and raybark. It's too intense to be used for recreational use."
"What effects does it have?"
"Well, as one starts to reach their high, their aura is amplified to high proportions, and I do mean high. It can lead the person to immediate combustion." He explained as she gulped down and went pale. "The chances of someone using it and surviving are less than 5%, but if the person somehow manages to stay alive, it is said that they are never the same."
"And you want me to use it." He nodded. "What if I refuse?"
"Then Illumi will proceed to rip your heart out."
Killua, who until then had remained quiet and apparently shocked, approached the table. His face was red and his eyes were frantic, he was fuming with anger. He slammed his hand on the wooden surface and turned to his grandfather, clenching his fist. "That's ridiculous! It's practically suicide!"
"Just like her decision of trying to rob our family, Kil." Added Illumi.
"But she didn't do it because she wanted to!" He hurried to say. Shit, Kurapika told him about the mission! "She only did that because—"
"Killua!" She shook her head and turned to Zeno, avoiding the topic. "What does the document say?"
"Medea, don't tell me you're really considering this." The exasperation on his voice was palpable.
"I caused this, so I'll take any chance I've got." The young woman stated. "I would like to know why you want me to sign this document, could you be so kind as to clarify it?" She asked sarcastically.
Silva spoke instead of his father, his proud posture starting to irritate Medea: "It's a guarantee that if you survive, you'll owe a service or favor to our family." He smiled. "You'll take the scroll, but leave with a life debt. If you don't fulfill the favor, you die."
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." Zeno added.
Medea looked at the paper and the inkwell. Was it worth trying to take that scroll in exchange for almost certain death?
She had spent a huge part of her life struggling to stay alive, had overcome so many obstacles in order to do so, and now… She was on the verge of death yet again. Even if it was because of a mission, one of the most important ones she was assigned to during her time at the Order, she was still unsure of simply surrendering her soul.
There were so many things she still wanted to do, so many places she wanted to visit, so many people she wanted to prove wrong, someone very, very specific she wished she could talk to one last time.
Was she ready?
Was she?
You are nothing without the Order! The High Priestess' voice echoed in her mind, accusing her. Who were you before you were welcomed by the Ever-Living Golden Goddess? An orphan from a brothel.
A killer.
A monster.
Medea took a deep breath. She was well aware of that; her Nen wasn't normal, everyone always told her that. It was hideous, they said.
The only ones who were not scared of her aura had been Grandma Hyo, back at Lys, and the High Priestess, who had taught her to control it ever since she got into the Order. And that damned gray-eyed thief. She clenched her fists. No, she didn't want to think about him now.
What mattered was that the High Priestess had saved her — metaphorically, of course. But how did she want to reciprocate that gesture? By refusing to fulfill her mission because she feared dying?
In the end, Medea was nothing but a selfish woman.
She took the pen and slipped it into the inkwell carefully, watching Nanjing wet the tip slowly. There was no need to read what was written, it wasn't like that paper was going to screw up her life more than her own luck already had. Carefully, she signed her own name over the dotted line.
"Where is it coming from?" Asked the mother, scrunching her nose.
"What are you talking about, mother?"
"I meant this smell, Milluki. Can't you feel it?"
"No."
"Smells like honey… How odd."
Medea's hand gripped the pen tighter. Honey. That meant there was only one aroma left. She was close to completing her mission, of that she was sure, but whether she would bring the scroll to her leader, or to be embraced by the eternal sleep remained a huge question to her.
She stared at the signature. It was done. "It's signed, give me the drug."
Illumi's chuckle was filled with venom as it rang through her ears. Her heart raced. "Do you think you are going to ingest it?" He approached her, smirking, and opened the small velvet box, revealing a needle with a barrel full of an amber liquid. "It's an injectable drug. They used to cut the blasphemers and pour it on their wounds, but as the centuries passed, people discovered that it's much more effective like this." His voice was so enthusiastic that it made her feel sick. He arched an eyebrow upon noticing her discomfort. "What is wrong? I thought you were a brave Hunter… I suppose that is not the case."
It took her a lot of self-control not to kneel him in the groin again. It really did.
Killua and Alluka watched the scene unfold, completely static, and Medea just gave them a half-smile. "The little time we spent together was very important to me."
"Dee…"
"Please, tell Kurapika that my document's inside the hotel safe… Oh, and also that I let him win the bet, he'll understand what I meant." She chuckled, or tried to.
Illumi approached her, looking more serious than before, and poked the syringe — a sharp clink of glass echoing across the place. He extended his long pale fingers towards her, waiting for her arm.
She took a deep breath and outstretched her left arm. "Get it over with."
"You still have your gloves on." He pointed out.
"Take them off."
"I am not your servant."
"No. You are my grim reaper. This is the least you can do." She said, eyes locked on his.
He remained impassive for a few moments and Medea wondered if she had struck a nerve. Then, he simply held the limb. He guided her hand to his face and, gently, placed her index finger in his mouth, capturing the thin fabric of the glove between his teeth.
Medea's breath hitched.
He pulled it off of her with a tortuously slow movement and put it on the table. Her skin bristled when his touch, hotter than she would have expected from someone as cold as him, enveloped her. Those deep, feline black eyes shone with something she couldn't quite describe. Something different. Dangerous.
Her blood boiled.
Illumi surely enjoyed tormenting her, prolonging the agony of having to wait for the drug.
"Stop playing." She hissed.
"My hands were busy."
"Like—"
"Can you just do it already? I have to go back to Genshin, you know." Complained Milluki.
Illumi rolled his eyes, but turned his attention to her arm, fingers tracing the path of each vein quick and attentively as he searched for the right one. When he found it, his thumb brushed the spot briefly. The amber liquid on the barrel glimmered between his fingers.
She grimaced as he inserted the needle in and injected the drug.
It hurt. It burned.
Medea sighed when he took it out, and stared at him.
He stared at her.
And then, there was nothing but the smell of citrus fruits and the black of Illumi's eyes blocking her senses.
Oh, yes, Illumi. Busy hands. Right.
Milluki playing Genshin IS CANON bc I SAID SO and he probably is a Raiden or Ningguang Main (most likely the first one though).
On a side note, know that I love all of the Zoldyck siblings equally. My poor babies just need love and lots of therapy.
—
Medea gave in. Illumi finally got what he wanted.
Stay tuned for the next chapters~