Third person pov
The night was thick with tension as Killua raced through the dense forest. His heart was burdened by an unbearable weight. His footsteps, usually as silent as a whisper, seemed to echo in the stillness of the night, a harsh reminder of the choices he was forced to make.
Gon's battered body stirred slightly in Killua's arms, a faint murmur escaping his lips. Killua's grip tightened, a mixture of relief and dread washing over him. However, his resolve was unyielding, and he pushed forward, deeper into the heart of the forest, away from the battlefield that had become a maelstrom of violence and despair.
Behind him, the sounds of a battle raged on—a battle between Rin and the Chimera Ant, Pitou. The atmosphere crackled with tension as their powers collided, each unleashing a torrent of energy in a desperate bid for supremacy. The very fabric of reality seemed to tremble under the weight of their ferocious struggle as if the outcome of this confrontation held the fate of the world in its balance.
Killua's heart was burdened by the weight of Rin's sacrifice. The image of her fearless determination lingered in his mind, etching itself into the depths of his soul. The image of Rin, standing alone against the monstrous Chimaera Ant, haunted him relentlessly. It was a sight that etched itself into the deepest recesses of his mind, refusing to be shaken loose.
The forest was alive with the eerie calls of nocturnal creatures, their cries a haunting soundtrack to Killua's desperate flight. The uneven terrain seemed to conspire against him, each step an arduous journey through the undergrowth. But he refused to falter. After all, he promised her. He promised Rin that he'd protect Gon, and right now, Gon's life depended on him, and nothing else mattered.
"Rin... Please... Stay safe."
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Rin POV
My heart pounded in my chest as I felt the energy coursing through my veins, my body ablaze with an electrifying aura. My muscles surged with newfound strength, and my senses sharpened to an almost preternatural level. The world around me seemed to slow, every movement of my adversaries measured and deliberate.
But something was amiss. My control over the Super Saiyan form, usually unwavering, began to waver. The tremendous power I had harnessed threatened to overwhelm me, like a tempestuous storm raging within. I clenched my fists, trying to contain the torrent of energy, but it was like trying to hold back a tidal wave with my bare hands. The strain was immense, the very essence of my being threatening to unravel.
'Turns out this red energy is hard to handle. One wrong move would send me plummeting into darkness.' Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and I could taste the saltiness on my lips.
'But I already knew it was a gamble in the first place.'
My eyes landed on the enemy before me. Pitou possessed an appearance that bore an uncanny resemblance to that of a werecat. Yet, beneath its seemingly feline visage lay a nightmarish creation, a grotesque abomination that had been birthed from the very depths of darkness and malice. The piercing gaze of its crimson eyes penetrated the depths of my very being as if possessed by otherworldly wisdom.
In the vast expanse of time, our clash endured, an unyielding dance of conflict. Blow after blow, we engaged in a relentless exchange, a symphony of Nen and unwavering resolve. But deep inside... I knew.
'Time is running out.'
The Super Saiyan Red transformation was slipping away from me. My crimson aura flickered like a dying flame, and I could feel my strength waning. The battle had taken its toll, and I was struggling to hold on to the form that had once been my greatest asset. My lungs heaved, desperate for air, as my body strained against the relentless agony. My breath came in ragged gasps, and every muscle in my body screamed in protest, but I couldn't falter.
'Hold on Rin, Please... Just a little bit longer. At least until the sun rises! By then, Gon and Killua should have left NGL.'
My vision blurred but I fought to maintain my focus, to channel the remaining energy into my attacks. But it was like trying to grasp at smoke, slipping through my fingers with each passing moment.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
I roared, a deafening cry that echoed through the cosmos, a battle cry that shook the very foundations of reality.
I would not yield, not now, not when Gon and Killua are depending on me!
The clash reverberated through the air, a deafening symphony of power and might. The dark energy from Pitou surged forth, its malevolent force colliding with my vibrant red energy. At that moment, the world seemed to hold its breath, anticipating the cataclysmic explosion that was about to unfold. Light and shadow danced together, entwined in a mesmerizing display of raw power.
BOOOOMMM!!!!
As the smoke cleared, I felt myself reverting to my normal state. The red aura dissipated, and I was left panting, my body drained of energy. I found myself abruptly propelled backward as if an invisible hand had seized control of my very being, reducing me to a mere marionette in the grand theatre of life.
Thud.
Blood, crimson and thick, seeped from the countless wounds that adorned my battered body, each one a painful reminder of the fierce battle that had raged on. With every ounce of determination coursing through my veins, I willed myself to stand, but my weary limbs, burdened by the weight of exhaustion, betrayed me. As my vision faltered, the world transformed into a dizzying whirlpool of motion.
As I sat there, a heavy weight settled upon my heart, and I knew, with a certainty that cut through the air like a knife, that it was over. The once vibrant colors of life had faded into a dull, lifeless grey. My eyes, heavy with exhaustion, were fixed upon the approaching chimera, a grotesque creature whose twisted grin seemed to stretch wider with each passing moment. Its claws, gleaming ominously in the dim light, were raised high above its head, poised to deliver the final blow, the coup de grâce that would seal my fate.
As the taste of bitter defeat lingered on my tongue, a vivid image of Gon and Killua flashed in my mind. Tears welled up in my eyes.
"Gon... Killua..." I whispered as my gaze filled with regret.
Gazing out towards the distant horizon, my eyes were met with the breathtaking sight of the sun.
'Thank god... It's finally sunrise...' A ghostly smile spread across my lips.
"I'm sorry... If only... I could say goodbye..." With a heavy heart and a lump in my throat, I whispered those words, knowing deep down that they held a finality I couldn't bear to face.
A hushed stillness descended upon the battlefield as if the very air held its breath in anticipation.
SLASH!
The sharp sound of a claw slicing through the air echoed through the area.
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Third person POV
In the quiet confines of the room, bathed in the soft, muted light of the inn, a sense of melancholy hung heavy in the air. Killua stood by Gon's bedside, watching over him with a heavy heart. His expression was sullen, his normally bright blue eyes dulled with dread. As Killua's mind wandered back to that fateful encounter, the words of Morel, the seasoned pro-Hunter who had come to their aid, echoed in his memory.
.
"The moment you were overwhelmed by the opponent's aura, you are disqualified. You're lower than a loser!"
.
"I am no longer qualified."
The weight of those words hung in the air, casting a shadow over his once confident demeanor. It was a bitter realization. Killua's mind raced with thoughts as his eyes trembled, betraying the turmoil within.
Killua's gaze was fixed on the floor, lost in his own thoughts. But suddenly, a voice pierced through the stillness, resonating with a vibrant energy that demanded attention.
"Killua..." It was Gon's voice. "Thanks."
Killua's sapphire eyes, usually sharp and confident, were now clouded with self-doubt. He couldn't bear to meet Gon's gaze, for fear of seeing the anger and hurt that he knew he deserved. He had betrayed Gon's trust and left Rin behind, and it was a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
"Why would you thank me?" His voice was barely audible.
"We'ren't you the one who stopped me? Had I lost control back there, I would've gotten in Rin's way." Gon replied.
Killua couldn't find the words to apologize, to make amends for the betrayal, and that silence between them grew heavier with each passing moment.
"All three of us could have died," Gon added.
"But I--" he stammered. The guilt gnawed at Killua's conscience like a relentless beast, tearing at his resolve. "I let Rin die..."
"Rin is alive!"
"...!" Killua's eyes widened at his remark.
As he shifted his gaze towards Gon, his eyes met with a sight that stirred something deep within him. Killua saw Gon's boundless optimism, unwavering determination, and infectious enthusiasm had the power to brighten even the darkest of days.
"She would never let that thing beat her! But considering her injury, she's having a hard time moving around. So, she's probably hiding. She's waiting for us to return!" The words hung in the air, carrying a weight of importance.
"So, we should hurry back. Once we're stronger. To save Rin!" Gon smiled.
When Gon smiled, his face lit up like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm. Killua couldn't help but be captivated by the sheer brilliance of that smile, a smile that had the power to chase away the shadows of doubt and self-doubt that still lingered within him. As the seconds ticked by, he finally averted his face, allowing his silver bang to cascade over his features, casting a shadow that concealed the emotions swirling within him.
'Gon... You are like light itself.'
In the depths of Gon's eyes, Killua saw a limitless reservoir of determination and optimism, an inner fire that never waned. Gon's gaze was like a lighthouse, cutting through the fog of uncertainty and lighting the way forward. It was a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there was always a path to be forged and a challenge to be overcome.
"Yes, you're right," Killua replied in a calm yet confident tone.
'Sometimes, you shine so brightly, I must look away. But even so, is it still okay if I stay by your side?'
In Gon, Killua found a light that guided him toward a brighter future, a light that dispelled the darkness of his past, and a light that filled his life with purpose and meaning. Gon was not just a friend; he was a living embodiment of hope, an eternal flame that burned in the depths of Killua's soul, a light that had the power to change his life forever.
In the depths of his guilt, Killua vowed to himself that he would do whatever it took to make things right, to find a way to save Rin.
"Let's go. We need to become stronger!"
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A/N
As you can see, there's a reason why I procrastinated in writing this chapter T.T Sorry to burst your bubbles, I didn't want to prolong Rin's Super Saiyan Red's fight since most of you would probably skip a fighting scene chapter.
I bet you guys can expect how the story would go after this. There's only a few chapters left and I'm not going to detailed out the palace invasion arc, only the important fight bc I feel it would be quite redundant from the anime.
So, did you really think Rin died or will she be resurrected back to life? Stay tuned till the end.