*(Y/N)'s POV*
Gon "He knows my dad...."
...
(Y/N) "That still doesn't change everything he did to me..."
Gon's figure continued to shake with fear.
Gon "I-I know... I know you want revenge, b-but... If we could keep him alive... just for a little longer..."
(Y/N) "..."
Gon "Please, (Y/N)... H-he's the only lead I have..."
My sight shifted between the green-haired boy using his own life to protect the man I hate the most, and the holy knight who's antics have tested my patience more times than I would care to admit. The grip I held over my blade tightens and began to feel my own body shake with rage.
Gold "Ha ha ha... Well, what a predicament we have here..."
Ryuu "Shut it! You're in no position to talk!"
Gold "Oh but I am... you see, he's not going to attack me. (Y/N) wants answers as to why I did all those horrible things to him. And in order to get that, he needs me alive. Right, (Y/N)?"
Killua "Shut up!"
My silence draws even further.
Gold "I hold all the cards, as I always do. You're completely useless without me. You need me to figure out what you truly are, and that's why you're hesitating now. You need me, you need me and you hate yourself for it."
Killua "Shut the hell up!"
Gold "So many things don't make sense, but I'll give you a small answer to the puzzle you're trying so desperately to piece together... I'll tell you what you truly are... but I think you already know the answer to it... don't you?"
"You...
Are...
Weak."
Gold "That's all you are, and all you will ever be..."
*Killua's POV*
I looked back at (Y/N). He had stopped shaking, but his head is now aimed at the ground. Worried for him, I called out, but he doesn't seem to be responding.
(Y/N) "No..."
His voice echoed through the flames, and the observatory trembled.
(Y/N) "You know nothing about me..."
With each word, the flames around us raised farther and farther into the ceiling, almost covering the entire observatory in a mad, blazing dance.
(Y/N) "I'm not weak. I'm far more powerful than any of you."
The air became suffocatingly thin. I coughed and choked to try breathing but it was no use. All that went into my lungs were smoke, and the hot wind that burns my throat. It wasn't long until I heard the sound of metal clanking on the floor as Pina collapsed, Gon soon to follow.
I fell my gaze upon Ryuu who covered his eyes from the sharp glow of the flames. He too held a look of fear and uncertainty.
My hand reached out towards (Y/N), hoping that I could get his attention and get him to stop before I pass out as well.
(Y/N) "You are right on one thing though."
My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the scorching stone floor.
(Y/N) "I won't kill you now. There are many fates worse than death..."
"And I want you to experience all of them..."
Unable to breathe, I closed my eyes and my thoughts succumb to darkness.
...
"-Lua... Killua...? Are you awake..?"
H-huh...?
My eyes slowly opened to the sight of blinding light. As my vision began returning to normal, I saw two blurred silhouettes hovering just above me. The voice sounds oddly familiar... I think that's Tani speaking..?
"Oh for heaven's sake, give him some room!"
Another voice... Malphas I think...?
"Killua dear? Can you hear us?"
Finally, my sights re-adjusted with the light and finally I was able to see Malphas holding a glass of water, and the twins looking at me from either side of her shoulders. I seem to be back in my bedroom in the castle.
Malphas "Are you hurting anywhere?"
I supported myself up with my arms and grabbed the glass of water she offered. I didn't drink it yet, and only looked down on it. The glow of Malphas' (E/C) eyes were reflected upon it. And that was when I remembered-
Killua "Wait! Where's (Y/N)? A-and the others!"
Malphas held a hand out to calm me down.
Malphas "It's alright, it's alright... (Y/N) is here, he's in his lab at the moment, experimenting with the creature you found the other day. Gon is still resting, so is Pina. And Ryuu is roaming around the castle."
Killua "He already woke up?"
Malphas "He never fainted. Ryuu is strangely resistant to Magic. In fact, it was he who brought you all back here."
I took a moment to process all the information she gave me.
Killua "And... and what about Gold?"
Malphas "(Y/N)'s supposed 'father'? He's in the dungeons. Alive, just barely. I imagine (Y/N) has plans to torture him in the most gruesome ways he can think of."
Again, I stayed quiet. After a moment, Malphas sat up from the bed, and walked away, the twins following her at her command. She turned back to face me just at the door. Right before leaving, she said.
Malphas "Oh! (Y/N) said he wanted to see you once you wake up. You can reach his lab from turning the moon-dial in the central courtyard. Have it pointing at the new moon, and the passageway will be revealed."
I nodded and she left. After a while, I took the blankets off of myself and decided to follow through on her instructions. Some time later, and I descended the hidden staircase that just opened up. At the bottom, I saw a tunnel of sorts that lead to a wooden door at the very end of it. The sides of the tunnels looked to be cages, with metal bars and metal doors. Small rooms that once held whatever creature was unfortunate enough to make it here. In some, there were still skeletons - some human, others... I'm not so sure.
Making it to the door, I pulled my hand out of my pocket to turn the handle, but it was already opened from the other side.
(Y/N) "Oh! Hey! I was just about to check on you!"
(Y/N) walked out, wearing an obviously over-sized lab coat.
Killua "That's a little too big for you, don't you think?"
(Y/N) "Yeah, I'm working on getting a smaller one, but this is all I got for now."
I smiled a bit and beckoned him out.
Killua "Come on, let's get out of here. It smells awful, and the air is kinda stuffy."
He smiled and walked to my side. As we walked, I noticed that (Y/N) had a bit more of a spring to his step.
Killua "You seem to be in a good mood."
(Y/N) "Hehe is it that obvious?"
Killua "Heh, I get it, I get it. You finally have a chance to take care of your grudge after all these years."
(Y/N) "Yeah... oh! That reminds me!"
Killua "Hm? !!!!"
I felt (Y/N) lean closer, and pull me into a tight hug. I felt heat bubble its way up through my entire body and up to my face.
(Y/N) "Thank you, Killua."
He pulled back, and after giggling at the state I was in, started walking again...
Oh man... that boy has complete control over my heart and I don't know how to stop him... this is gonna be a problem, isn't it?