Whispers of the Sky (Hunter X Hunter)

Divide X And Conquer

Would you dare to participate-
In the game of Life and Death..
-*-

"Divide and Conquer?" Kurapika read the sign aloud while his eyes darted to the three watches on top of a perfectly carved square-shaped stone.

"Six of you have been split into two teams consisting of three members. The goal is to reach the exit within the time limit. Each team will go through a series of challenges and each will obtain a key upon completion. Both keys must be used together to open the door that will lead to the exit. Good Luck!" Rhode read the instructions, her voice frighteningly composed even as she read the 'Good Luck!' from the sign board attached to the wall above the watches.

Kurapika knew it was merely a facade she put up. Probably to assure him and Leorio that there was nothing to worry about. He couldn't blame her, seeing as their three friends were separated from them and somewhere beyond their reach within the dangerous tower they must now tackle.

He deduced that due to Yllina's upbringing and Rhode's constant worrying for her- the blue-haired youth was obviously not someone who was adept in fighting, especially with using weapons. He surmised that the blades in her clothes were merely for intimidation, probably to scare off the most pathetic of thieves that tried to approach them.

It would be the reason why Rhode was so restless. The two were obviously close and this might be the first time they were separated like this in such a dangerous situation. They didn't know what the tower would present them with and that was a cause for worry.

It wasn't like that time with Hisoka since she knew Yllina would be safe with Killua and Gon. Kurapika would like to think that he was lucky, having gotten grouped together with people he knew. He couldn't say the same for their three friends but he hoped, just for the sake of his friend's sanity, that they were paired up together too.

"So what does this watch- oh wait, it beeped!" Leorio finally spoke, his hands tinkering with the said device before it lit up.

In the watch appeared a holographic logo of the Hunters Association before it faded and was replaced with six circles that had a silhouette of a person in them. Upon closer inspection, one of the circles had already been lit to show Leorio's face on it as well as his name under it.

"It must be a device to keep tabs on the players of the challenge. Leorio had already registered his name so that must mean that, to proceed, all of us must have our faces appearing on the screen," Rhode theorized before it proved true after she switched on her watch and her face appeared on Leorio's screen as well as her own.

"This might pose a problem." Kurapika couldn't help but say just as he switched on his to complete their group. "It says here that we have to wait for three more players to appear. Unless those blank icons light up then-,"

It was Leorio who ended up finishing it for him with a grave tone in his voice. "Then we'll run out of time and fail the exams!"

"But we have no choice. We'll just have to wait it out and hope that someone finds a way down to us on time." Rhode admitted in defeat while slumping to the ground tiredly.

She wasn't tired with the standing, Rhode proved she had abundant stamina to keep going. In all honesty, she was mentally exhausted with worrying for the safety of Yllina, Gon, and Killua. Unless this exam was finished, then she would never know their fate.

72 hours of waiting. Rhode only hoped her sanity would hold out till then.

--*--

Elsewhere, Yllina remained behind Gon and Killua who were busy scrutinizing the sign before them.