Hunter X Justice

Assassin X Against X Assassin

Happy Wednesday, and I'm finally back with another one. I've been excited to write this for a long time, and it's finally completed. This chapter will kick off the turning point in the story. I've already had this chapter written down in a rough draft for over a year, but I just finished this in a new updated form. Time flies, right?

I said this before but thank you for supporting the story. Let's get right to it.

*****

Killua walked through the gates into the rugged courtyard, his pale skin glistening in sweat. A shirt he recently purchased from a shop dangled over his shoulder as he wore his teal sleeveless shirt. The rusted white building ahead of him welcomed him in sight, its painted walls dirtied with age. Metallic barbed fences enclosed the courtyard, and some pieces of the tarnished gird succumbed to the ground; this was his third location to settle in, his makeshift home.

Killua took in a breath as he slid through the entry of his hideout, rolling his shoulders to relieve the stress after tossing the damp shirt to the side. He smiled with satisfaction at his limbs, already perceiving the results of his training. In the past week, he had done nothing but train to shake off his rust; it seemed to have paid off. He approached the shriveled bed near the corner, the abandoned mattress he collected torn and revealing the foam sheet in its decaying state.

Not minding the conditions, Killua idly fell to his back onto the torn mess of fabrics, his hands cushioning his nape. He was back to how he was right after the Chimera Ant War, possibly better than ever. Killua frowned, not ignoring the long run. His rust was gone, but it didn't mean he would be complacent with where he stood. He wasn't stupid.

He could face many unknowns before confronting his brother upon returning to the Zoldyck Estate. If there were others in this reality with abilities, like the clay monster, then Killua couldn't rule out potential others he could encounter. Some might even be more dangerous, and he had to be ready. He never dropped his guard, even if these days had been quiet.

His seemingly bored eyes flicked to the window, the twilight tinctures of the sky noticeable. 'It's already getting dark.' Killua thought before returning to stare blankly at the ceiling.

Killua wondered how everyone at home, namely Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio, was doing. He hadn't contacted them since he started traveling to spend time with his sister over a year ago. He thought of his friends' goals. Was Kurapika still seeking to collect his late clan's eyes? Was Leorio exceeding his academics? Was Gon taking it easy?

Whatever the case, he was sure they were on a stride to achieve their goals. He could only imagine their reactions if they knew of the mess he was thrown in. They probably were unaware of his current status, thinking he was still traveling with Alluka.

Killua's eyebrows furrowed. "I wonder..." Those words slipped under his breath as multiple scenarios played in his mind.

What would the chances be if either of his friends noticed his absence and decided to contact him? They had to follow their hunches about his vacancy to reach him. Their suspicions had to shift to his family, right? Would they bring their focus to Nanika? His friends don't have the same privilege as him if they desire a wish without a condition, but that shouldn't be relevant since Nanika would do anything for him.

But that damn Illumi would just stand in their way.

These prospects, however, were indirect, beyond his control, and ultimately too reliable on chance. If he could be brought back home by the efforts of his world, then Nanika would've already pulled him back with her powers.

Carefully, Killua weighed every possible option he knew about this world to return home. The clay monster flashed in his memory, and Killua's eyes lit in realization. The knowledge of the existence of beings like that could be a game-changer in his plans. He could track someone in this world with a power like Nanika if a person with such an ability existed. He knew the chances were slim, but that was the best option he considered. Again, his thoughts led him to the Batman.