[WARNINGS]: Blood, occult, mild torture

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Raspy breaths broke Hisoka from his trance. The rattling forced his gaze downward to the broken body sheltered in his lap. Nothing moved beyond them in the slaughter site.

Hisoka's eyes settled on the insidious vial. It may hold the key to helping Violet...

But he couldn't keep her close to it either. Bungee Gum held strong, capping the top and restraining whatever poison lurked within. However, he didn't have time to find a more permanent lock and knew it was best to move on before his aura was exhausted.

As he shifted forward to stand, striking pain reminded him exactly how close he had come to a heart transplant. A sharp intake of air through his clenched teeth preceded a desperate whimper from Violet.

If I seal my wound, I may not have enough aura to keep the vial closed while I carry her free from this hell hole. Casting his gaze onto Violet's almost fully exposed body that continued to bleed, he tsked. I need to seal her injuries too. She'll bleed out before I can solve the internal issues.

Pain screamed as Hisoka stood with success on the second attempt. Holding Violet close, he stumbled towards the far side of the second level, away from the vial, until his gait smoothed into a fluid pace. Groans of abuse continued intermittently from his kitten's throat.

After jumping to the ground level and walking closer to the door, the intensity of her cries lessened. Halting, Hisoka observed the mess of the crystal that once housed the old artefact. Among the cracked, irregular remains lay the horrid item that he could only think of as trash. It lured Violet away, and he foolishly allowed it.

However, she fought hard for the item, and he couldn't deny the residual energy that wafted from the hilt. Violet squeaked in pain when he bent to lift the item. Pausing to ensure she settled, his finger grazed the item. Power rose within the decaying piece of once finely crafted weaponry. Hisoka stepped back as it imploded on itself before turning to black ash with an anti-climatic puff. The energy rushed away and left nothing in its wake.

Hisoka sighed. "As much as I enjoy a puzzle and challenge combo, I don't have time for this right now."

♠♥♦♣

Night air warmed the magician, but an uncomfortable heat assaulted his back. The trek towards Aiai continued. Violet's breath had threatened to stop, and only vicious coughing was possible. As much as Hisoka had wanted to continue protecting her in bridal style, she could breathe easier carried against his back.

Bungee Gum secured both their wounds, and a strip kept Violet's chest against his back with her head relaxed by his shoulder where he could monitor her breathing against his neck. Her legs were slung over his arms, giving him a sense of closeness to his kitten.

However, Violet's temperature had only slightly reduced from the raging levels of her precarious state. More concerning, it would rise to extremes before dropping to a near-death glacier state. Hope that it would stabilise the further they walked from the mountain peak was fading.

"I lost my ring..." a disoriented voice said against his neck. It was weak, and Hisoka was scarcely certain she was aware.

"Don't worry about that, kitten," he responded. "I have your ring. Let's get you to Aiai and secure first."

"Jason broke my arm to pieces," Violet answered, sobbing. "He threw the ring away after ripping your card apart. How can you have it?"

Silence echoed between them. Uncertainty invaded Hisoka's mind. He decided to reveal the truth, even if it meant he would have to repeat the tale later.

"I was searching for the Ryodan, the spider troupe, when I heard the players in Dorias in an uproar about a recent Bomber attack." A short pause gave Hisoka time to step over a log pile before continuing the story, "Apparently, the pieces of the victim had not disappeared like they usually do when someone dies here. Their remains usually return to wherever they entered the game. This time, there were intestines, flesh, and organs everywhere."

"But...my ring..."

"Well, I was less concerned about their game-based drama. Until they mentioned the attack left black and purple flames. I stopped a player and asked for more details—"

"Did you kill him?"

Hisoka chuckled. "I don't kill everyone I meet. I'm not an animal, mostly."

"Everyone is an animal. The choice is animal or plant."

Well, at least that over-analytical mind of yours is still in full force. A smile spread on his lips. It soured as he realised she hadn't attempted to lift her head or complained about him carrying her. "Regardless, I only asked for information, which she provided without pressure. The details were too close to the flames you described the night your husband and daughter died," he said. "I applied pressure and got a card to travel to the area from the lovely young player."

"How young?"

"Young enough that I didn't lay a hand on her, not that I would unless it would benefit me. But I know you have a soft spot for children and cute furry beasts." Hisoka continued to press forward, deeply worried about the way her temperature continued to burn. But the distraction calmed her tension, so he kept her speaking.

"I don't like centipedes."

"Oh?" Hisoka couldn't help the amusement in his tone.

"All the legs. They're creepy. I don't like them."

"Noted," Hisoka responded. "When I arrived, I realised who started the fire and put together what happened from the pieces that remained. You promised I would be there to witness that massacre."

Tears soaked Hisoka's shirt by his shoulder, and the sobbing breaths hit his neck. "I'm sorry. I-I d-didn't- want—"

"Hush. It's fine, kitten. I'm not cross." He waited for her sobs to die before continuing, "I saw the remains of my card, and the glint of the ring wasn't far from them. I will get you another card, Violet. Don't worry. I used the Magnetic Resonance card to reach you after that. It didn't send me all the way—"

"Witch barriers. The Nen from the game probably couldn't get through."

Hisoka nodded. "I made the rest of the way on foot. I arrived moments before I revealed myself. You looked to one of them for help. Who what she?"

"Sammy. Nothing but a warden and my main abuser. You killed her..."

"You're wearing her clothing. My kills were a bit cleaner, and her clothing was best suited to keeping you warm."

"I'm so hot and in so much pain, Hisoka," Violet whispered. "I don't care if I'm wearing anything. It feels like something is inside of me. It's moving around, devouring my soul and me from the inside out. It's changing me. I've never felt so much pain. I don't know what to do or how to control it."

As much as he wanted to answer, any reassurance would be a lie. Although a master at such things, any lie needed to be plausible, and he couldn't find the words fast enough. Emotion clouded his mind enough to slow the fib so much that he considered honesty.

"Don't stop fighting," Hisoka said with a stern tone. "Once we get to Aiai, we'll—"

Instincts screamed, and Hisoka froze. His hands gripped Violet's thighs harder, and he tightened the Bungee Gum securing her closer to him. Violet tensed, responding to his alertness.

The forest had thinned into a small opening. It contained lush grass of varying lengths. The foliage swayed in the gentle night breeze. They weren't far from clearing the forest and making the straight march to Aiai. No more than twenty minutes away by Hisoka's calculations from the area they stood. The environment sparkled under the moonlight, but he saw nothing but death. It soured with a darkness that may not have met his eyes, but every other part of his advanced senses screamed danger.

"No need to fret, great Magician Grim Reaper," a musical voice said, singing with a surface deep pleasantness. "I won't do either of you harm. It's quite a feat to best my sister. It's never been done."

The woman stepped forward. Her dark skin shone under the starlight. Black locks reached her chest and turned true purple at the tips. Her bright lavender, near pink, irises contrasted with the stunning pigment of her skin. It was an inhuman colour. Violet's hazel eyes, although unique and rare like his amber ones, were genetically possible. Purple eyes could occur, but not in that particular shade.

Deep red lips widened to an eerie smile, lengthening her oval jawline. Power eroded off the entire woman, particularly from her eyes which seemed to shift their shade of purple. Violet strained to lift her head for the first time.

"You," Violet said. "You're the one from Yorknew. You guided me away from Jason in the alleyway..."

Hisoka frowned. Although she aided Violet that night, her involvement that long ago didn't create feelings of reassurance. Not that Hisoka ever gave trust to anyone, beyond possibly Violet.

"Hello again, Violet, my dear. We never had a chance to be properly introduced. I'm Niasula." She stepped further into the clearing, which Hisoka matched with a step back. "You've met my sister, Xanque!tesh. But please, don't let her poor manners sour your judgement of me. Yes, I'm dangerous and deadly, but I follow the laws of nature, unlike my kin. I only scavenge off the remains my siblings leave behind."

"Except, I'm one of her remains now," Violet responded, wary.

Hisoka pulsed his hands on Violet's thigh and straightened to his full height. Ten surrounded his form in a transparent protective layer, which he pushed further energy into, so it included Violet.

Niasula chuckled with sweet-sounding laughter. "Right you are, Violet. Fret not, Reaper. I won't take her from you this night."

A glare clouded his features. With every vowel, he trusted the witch less. However, his experience screamed to wait until necessary. Violet certainly couldn't handle rash movements without significant pain.

"I witnessed your fight with Jason. It was quite marvellous. I was worried he would strangle you to death with your own hair, Violet. You had me worried," Niasula said. "How is your arm? I cast a healing spell. It's a bit early for it to have recovered fully."

Violet made herself smaller, hiding the swollen limb behind Hisoka's back. He didn't like the feeling of her cowering movements. As severe as her situation was, showing fear in front of an enemy meant it was worse than he knew. The mental images of Jason nearly killing her that way didn't help his mood.

"Enough," Hisoka said with stern assertion. "What do you want, witch? If you're not here to fight or take, then what is your motivation? If you would be so kind? If not. Leave."

"Do you know why God Slayers exist?"

They both responded to Niasula with silence. She reacted with a wicked smile.

"They are part of a multi-defence system of mortal realms. Most of your kind live normal lives and die without ever knowing. Witches, dragons, and all your immortal supernatural beings are actually quite natural. We're a bit of both," Niasula answered herself. "But only certain entities can keep us safe from God invasions. They used to rule everything, and those times were not as kind to mortals. Immortals, like myself, held middle positions.

"Then the Pillars, followed closely by God Slayers, came into existence. The Pillars of Eden are physically more able to handle their powers. They are the main defence. But God Slayers act as the advanced guard. You are a normal mortal that has suddenly had the power cast onto you. Without this power, you have your Nen alone."

"W-what are you saying? I don't want this power," Violet whispered, and a tremble took hold.

"You burn bright and viciously. You're an absolute marvel!" Niasula said with clear admiration. "But you don't burn long. You need to consume the heart of a God to complete your ascension. However, even once that's done, you'll need to kill a God every week to live. God Slayers die within days. You may get a few weeks with a regular food supply if there is an active invasion. But as it stands? You're dying."

Hisoka stepped back again, eliciting laughter from the dark witch. None of this made any sense, and he didn't want to believe it, but whatever was in the vial had caused the current state in Violet. Half-lies could not be ruled out, furthering his uncertainty.

"It's not me that you need fear, magician. The threat is within. My sister kills them immediately for their blood and bones to release the Golden God," Niasula explained. "Unsightly practise as the God pulling her strings, and a few of my other siblings', is not trustworthy. You're one of the strongest I've ever seen, but that only means you'll die faster."

A snarl turned to a deep growl sounding from Hisoka. He would not let even death claim Violet from him, but the information could not be source-checked. And it forced Violet's heart to beat against his back in a dangerous rhythm.

Despite that, it was Violet who asked, "Then why are you here? Your kind doesn't provide information feely unless there is a reason. I can handle Hisoka better than most because I can see past his shield, which seems thick to most but is thin compared to your kind. You only do things for reasons that suit your needs."

Although the words stung his chest, it was true. He never acted unless it suited his desires. Violet had proven deeper desires and emotions existed within. With the right motivations, she had released them. But truly, this witch was playing a game no different to the kind he did. The trick would be learning her rules.

Niasula grinned. "Smart, Violet. Yes, I would like to ask for a trade of sorts."

"Trade?" Hisoka asked.

"I cannot promise anything, but as she's not fully activated, I might be able to freeze it to prevent it from worsening," Nisaula answered. "You'll need to learn to live with your body as it is now, as I know I cannot reverse the effects. But this way, you could live."

"But you don't know for sure?" Violet asked.

Niasula shook her head. "No. It's never been done. No one has ever survived this long. I've never done this before. I will assure you, for the right price, that I will give my best skills to it. But you would move forward knowing nothing is certain. It may simply buy more time."

"The price is what worries me," Hisoka said.

"You scavenge the pieces. It's something of mine you want. My blood and bones?" Violet asked.

"A bit of blood is necessary for every witch's spell. A bit extra as partial payment would be lovely, but you've lost so much that I cannot take much," Niasula answered. "I need to ensure a vast amount of energy to do the spell as well as ample payment. Anything on you is worth a high cost right now due to your partial activation. Some blood, yes, but I'll need more. How about your eyes? They're windows to the souls and one of the best items next to blood."

Hisoka snarled and couched. She wants to rip Violet apart like a corpse!

Violet lightly tapped him with reassurance. He responded and stood, craning his neck to look at her. She was pale and gaunt. A tinge of grey touched her skin. The situation was dire. But her eyes were soft when they met his gaze, the dirty black and purple still swirled within them.

When she signalled, Hisoka reluctantly set Violet's feet on the ground.

"You cannot have my eyes. They're too important." Violet stood tall but held him for support. "But I assume it has to be something important to me that has a deep value that you need?"

Niasula smiled and nodded.

"My eyes are important to Hisoka and me," Violet said. "But my hair is important to me. It is the only thing I didn't change about myself to survive. Will it be enough?"

"Yes—"

"No!" Hisoka spun Violet to face him. "Your hair is important to you. You don't have to do this, Violet. We can find another way. A Nen exorcist, there is one on the island. Nen can do nearly anything!"

"You're right, magician. Nen is soul energy and very powerful. But you haven't the time. She'll die before then," Niasula said. "Your hair will be enough to power the spell and provide payment along with a vial of blood."

Hisoka turned back to face Violet and clawed into her shoulders. Pain invaded his chest, and he knew it was the first he'd ever felt physical suffering for another. He wished love had never come to him. But it was either lose Violet forever or wound her emotionally for a while.

With a sigh, Hisoka released his lover. She's strong. She can recover from the loss of hair. It will grow back. It's better than her eyes.

Violet reached up and ran her hand across his cheek, which he leaned into. "I want to stay with you, Hisoka. If I were still alone like you found me in that park, I wouldn't even try," she said with sincerity. "I may have seemed strong then, but it was all a lie. One I told even myself. But now, I have true strength thanks to your help, and I will survive this. For you and me."

"You've always been strong. I can tell when someone is lying about that." Hisoka leaned down and touched his forehead to hers. "You don't have to do this, but I won't stop you if you insist."

Hisoka pulled away to look at his lover. She was crying, and the tears came out black.

"I love you, Hisoka."

He nodded and watched as Violet limped to the centre of the clearing.

"Release your Nen sealing her wounds, magician," Niasula called.

It took Hisoka a moment to respond, and Violet gazing towards him before he could comply. The witch collected blood from the sweeping knife wounds.

Once completed, Niasula touched Violet's hair, which cut above her shoulders before disappearing in green flame. No ash remained, and Hisoka suspected the witch had stored it somewhere. He couldn't understand their powers; despite watching with Gyo, no energy could be seen. But he felt it throughout his body.

Black flame licked with green highlights surrounded Violet. It took everything to stop himself from rushing for his lover when Violet screeched in agony. It was over as fast as it began. Once Niasula stopped chanting, the flames died. Violet collapsed to the ground, steam rolling off her body.

"Violet!"

The shrill laughter of the witch echoed on the wind as Hisoka raced to his kitten's side. She was breathing unsteadily and unconscious. Niasula was gone without a trace beyond the burnt grass surrounding Violet and the smell of elderberries and death.

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