The Reason We Fight

Chapter 66. The Attack

That bitch lied to me, straight to my face, Tserriednich thought, side-eyeing her. She is close to this Kurapika, the Hunter who made the announcement. Close enough to dream about him...

He wondered idly what he was to her. A brother? Childhood friend? Lover? Waif, or, should he say, 47, was a tough nut to crack. She was always circumspect in everything she offered about herself, guarded beyond belief. He had been going at her as soon as he realized who she was, around five days straight now? How many would be able to keep it together after five days without sleep? Still, he had to keep his facade up. Everything would fall to pieces were she to realize she was being manipulated. Tserriednich figured she wasn't likely to; she wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. But he'll keep pushing her closer and closer to the edge, until he perfects his weapon. His key, his ace in the hole... his weapon of mass destruction.

"Tell me, Waif", he began, unimpassioned. "I got a call from the 14th prince's guard through Zhanglei. They say they can teach Nen in two weeks".

He examined her. She was skittish, knowing that a confrontation was coming. Her shirt was crumpled and she looked a proper mess. Her hair was unruly, strands sticking out of her braid, wild and uncontrolled. She looked sick and unwell, a gutter rat.

"That's quite different from the story you tried to sell me". Animality was implicit in his every movement. The air was alive, humming.

She paled and wavered. "There are fast but extremely dangerous ways to learn Nen", she said, unmoored. "I promise you that my way is the correct and fastest way".

He sighed. "You know, in Kakin, people think that the Sorcery is something that you're born with. A curse, so to speak. How do those children come to learn Nen at such a young age?"

She feigned ignorance with a shrug of her shoulders. "Beats me. Never been to Kakin myself".

Liar. Filthy liar. You lie with your every breath, you foul Jezebel. Tserriednich smiled goodheartedly. "I tire of the preparatory steps. We've done the Ten, Zetsu, Ren and Gyo. I am more than ready for this water divination thing".

"Maybe later", she said. "It's not time yet". She paused. "Let's work on your Ren some more".

She was stalling him! Well, it didn't matter. He smiled. I'll show her all I've got, see if she can take it. She was watching him, so he closed his eyes in a meditative stance.

Suddenly, he leaped on her, pressing hard on her throat. On the floor, he pushed his entire weight on her, pinning her. Her eyes bulged and teared up as she was gasping for breath, not comprehending what was happening. Her eyes glowed bright crimson for half a second.

Ah, yes. Such a pretty color. The color of the utter domination I hold over my siblings. The color of my victory.  He gave out a sinister laugh as he felt the life drain out of her. Abruptly, a metal decorative statue spun right at him, in a trajectory to the back his head. But it passed right through him. In a last-ditch effort, she took her gun out and shot him seven times. Waif's confused eyes pierced into him as the illusion faded and he stood still, meters from her. She gave him one last bewildered glance, before she fainted.

-

She came back to her senses about an hour later, at the clinic on the second tier of the ship. Salkov had brought her there, apparently.

"Unbelievable", she heard a man say. Leorio approached her, a warm yet concerned smile on his face. "Both of you! Always pushing yourself beyond your limit!"

Kakume felt dizzy, but smiled back all the same. "The short lack of consciousness was nice. I feel rested", she said, pushing her body off of the gurney.