Whispers of the Sky (Hunter X Hunter)

A Life X For X A Life

To take lives so easily,
A price must be paid to balance it.
-*-

There was no need to flip the coin- Yllina knew that.

Gon was the only one who cheered her on, Killua ignoring her as she made her way to the arena. She could see the hooded figure, her opponent, waiting for her on the other side- her body shivering at the gaze sent her way.

It felt just as ominous as Killua's blood lust but this one held a thickness that clung to you and suffocated you. It may not be as sickening as the Chairman's but it was still enough to put her on edge. She tried her best to look unfazed though but the slight falter in her steps didn't escape Killua's notice.

Killua noted that Rhode wasn't even looking at Yllina, the woman had her head lowered and ignored both Kurapika and Leorio- the latter already proceeding to the stage to meet his opponent. Something obviously happened to their group, something that had caused that awkward distance that Killua could sense from their actions alone.

"Killua," Gon spoke up, the silver-haired youth glancing at him, waiting for his next words. "Yllina's opponent... It reminds me of Johaness' aura."

Killua turned his gaze to Yllina's opponent after Gon had said this, taking in all their profile with a quick and calculating sweep. While it's true that they had an aura nearly identical to Johaness, that didn't necessarily mean they were just as strong. Even Killua could kill this person with his eyes closed.

Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for Yllina.

"How dare you-," The hooded figure said, Yllina immediately tensing up at the venom in their voice as it shook.

The moment the twins announced the start of the match, that was when the hooded person moved- their hood flying off to reveal a messy nest of dark blond hair. Their eyes were alight with vengeance, gold burning brightly yet dangerously like flame.

"You idiot, duck!" Killua felt his voice scream out, surprising himself at what he had done. Yllina heard his voice just in time- dodging the knife that would've slashed her by the neck had Killua not saved her.

Yllina tried to upright herself after that clumsy dodge but failed to avoid the kick that nearly sent her sprawling down the chasm.

"He was my target! I won't forgive you for taking away my target!" The female charged again at Yllina, hands raised high to deliver a blow. Yllina dodged that in time, but the burning pain on her arm said otherwise.

The drops of her blood scattered across the arena like fallen petals, the large gash on her arm showing where she had been cut. It looked deep and the pain burned which made her wince. Her opponent stalked her from across the arena, her body poised to kill. Yllina didn't even know what earned her the ire of her opponent, the anger almost borderline manic.

Even if she had no choice, she couldn't afford to take the life of this woman before her. She may have been given a weapon but Yllina had never tried to kill anyone with it- may they be a danger to her or not. Rhode had always been by her side to get them out of harm's way, running had always been easier.

Yet now, Yllina was alone. This battle was between her and the person before her. Their wins were 3-0 but Yllina couldn't be complacent. If she forfeited, the chances of this being a tie would rise and they didn't have the luxury of time to let that outcome happen. She prayed with all her might that Leorio would at least win his match, saving them the chance to proceed should she choose to lose.

It was the only viable option. As frustrating as it was- Yllina was a coward. All she could do is hold the fort long enough to assess Leorio's match, her decision based solely on that alone-