Gladiator [K.Zoldyck X fem!Reader] (HxH)

46-Are you challenging me?

↜3rd Person Pov↝

Hisoka just smiled as he leaned out of the card's way, watching it hit the wall behind him. The impact of a mere playing card being thrown by (Y/N) caused quite the damage to the wall. It was now covered with cracks, and some smaller pieces were even starting to fall off, dirtying the previously clean floor.

"Hisoka... Why are you here?" asked Killua, his eyes wide. The clown's attention was now back on the trio as he answered: "It's hardly that strange. I love to fight, and this is a temple of fighting."

He looked over at the young Gladiator, adding: "And why are you here? Just kidding... This was no coincidence. I've been waiting for you. I would've gone to the Colosseum instead, but I knew my chances of running into you, little Ace, were nonexistent." He couldn't help but to chuckle at the angered expression of the girl.

She was ready to throw hands, but Killua quickly grabbed her by her wrist, pulling her at least a little bit away from Hisoka. He held onto her hand as Hisoka asked: "Remember how you ordered airship tickets over the cybernet? With a little effort, it's possible to determine where and when someone will arrive. Well, I knew you would come here eventually. And so, as a veteran, I have a warning for you."

"Oh, shut up! I don't wanna hear it! Especially from you!" said (Y/N), sticking her tongue out at him, clearly wanting to provoke him. While Killua panicked, trying to make her stop, Hisoka simply chuckled.

He said: "It's still too early for you kids to step on this floor.", right before letting his Nen out in the form of an aura, meant to push the trio back and intimidate them. Seeing that it worked, he said: "How early depends on your efforts. Leave for now. It's too early right now."

Growing angrier by the second, Killua yelled: "That's stupid! We just got up here-" He stopped mid-sentence as Hisoka, once again, let his Nen out. In a threatening voice, he said: "I won't let you pass. Not that you could, anyway."

The pressure was immense, and it caused goosebumps to appear all over their bodies. However, (Y/N) wouldn't let that stop her. She stepped forwards, her glare fierce and filled with pride as she asked: "Are you challenging me? Me? The Ace of the Colosseum?"

The boys remained in place, helplessly watching as (Y/N) continued to step towards Hisoka, her steps getting wobblier by the second. But despite her mind and body screaming at her to get back, her pride as a Gladiator wouldn't allow it.

And so, she continued her way, making it about halfway before her legs finally gave up on her. She fell to her knees, her eyes never leaving Hisoka as she balled her hands into shaky fists.

Defeat.

Without having a physical fight, she had been defeated. She hated to lose. She absolutely despised the feeling of trying your best and failing miserably. Because in her world, you either win and live, or you lose and die. Victory is everything, while a loss is nothing.

She ignored her friends' voices calling out to her, yelling at her to come back. Killua's blue eyes were wide as a sudden feeling of dread and fear filled his very soul. He was truly afraid.

He immediately recognized this feeling. He had felt this before only once. It was during the Hunter Exam, when Illumi had told him that he would kill (Y/N) if Killua didn't listen. Sure, he was afraid of the person uttering the threat, but what that fear really was about was way worse.

He was afraid of losing her.

He was scared that she would die, within his reach, yet he was unable to help her- to safe her. Too weak, too slow, too stupid! And yet, he couldn't even look away. It was like he was only waiting for the inevitable, causing his stomach to twist.

Raising her shaky fist in the air, (Y/N) slammed it onto the ground with all of the strength that she could muster at the moment. The floor cracked instantly, even leaving a hole a bit bigger than the size of her hand behind.

She quickly grabbed a piece of the broken stone slab, stabbing the pointy end into her left hand. "Wha- (Y/N)! What are you doing?!" yelled Killua, deciding to push the heavy feeling of fear away as he began to slowly approach her.

Now grinning, (Y/N) slowly got back up, still very shaky on her legs. She looked at Hisoka with a look that practically screamed 'I'll kill you'. The clown watched, amused and impressed by her. He didn't think that she would make it this far without even using Nen.

The moment she took one more step, a male voice called out: "Don't be reckless!" Hisoka immediately stopped his Nen, and Killua wasted no time in running up to (Y/N)'s aid.

He helped her to stand, asking: "Are you okay?" She was breathing heavily, closing her eyes as she leaned her full body-weight onto him. "I-I think so..." she trailed off, all of them looking over at the person who had just appeared.

It was Wing, who sternly said: "You have no defense against his Nen. Right now, you are like someone standing naked in a blizzard, wondering why it is cold. (Y/N), if you continue to strain your body, you may die."

Hearing this, Killua immediately picked her up. He jumped back with her in his arms, making sure that he was far enough away from Hisoka before setting her back down. He held onto her, as her whole body was still shaking from the pure pressure of Hisoka's Nen.

Now irritated, Killua asked: "This is Nen?! He can stop us from moving forward through willpower? Don't lie!" Wing closed his eyes as he said: "Yes, I was lying. And that almost cost (Y/N) her life. Though technically, I wasn't lying completely. I will teach you the truth about Nen. So retreat for now."

"No! I-I still have to punch that clown for-" started (Y/N), only to have Killua say: "Stop. We lost." Her eyes widened, tears starting to fill them. "But... I... We lost...?" she quietly asked, not wanting to believe it, even though she knew that they did lose.

Seeing her this close to tears caused Killua's chest to tighten. He had to look away, saying: "Yeah. For now, at least."