The Gift

Chapter 24: The Unexpected

Gon’s POV:

It’s exactly 10:00pm in the evening and we’ve got about two hours before full moon. I could feel every body’s tension as the time for the ritual draws closer and closer.

We’re all silent as we fixed the necessary preparations for the ritual.

Kurapika told us we should do it in the garden since spells are more powerful when done along with elements of nature.

We created a bon fire to which we are going to place the Alfalfa from Mt. Aldous, the wild boar’s blood from Calibra and the waters from the spring of Anaha.

Alluka and the convict are to touch using their right hand at the middle of the fire after the incantation for bargain is recited.

All of these sounds really surreal to me, but it’s really happening.

I’ve somewhat accepted Kurapika’s decision of getting a criminal in death row. He’s reason is justifiable and we don’t have any choice. What matter is we’ve got the same inclination to save Alluka.

It’s almost time, the moon is almost at its peak. We knocked the criminal unconscious so he won’t struggle during the process. Alluka’s still asleep so we decided that Killua will hold him up and I will hold the criminal and together we’ll make them touch above the fire as Kurapika recites the spell from his book.

We all stood around the fire. It was cold and slightly windy, the skies were bright and the moon was peaking until it finally shown it’s full self.

“It’s time.” Kurapika said sternly.

We all looked at each other and went to our positions.

Killua and I stood face to face as we carry Alluka and the convict individually in front of the great bon fire torched between us.

Lira held the materials in front of the fire while Leorio stands at the side.

“Lira, as I start the first part of the incantation, slowly throw the materials on fire.” Kurapika instructed her.

“I will give a signal once it’s time for Alluka and the convict to touch.” He added.

“So let us begin.” Kurapika said then he opened his book and starting reading the spell.

“pah lah eh yah see eh    geh e va eh  la eh fa eh…. Mmmm pah lah eh yah see eh    geh e va eh  la eh fa eh.” Kurpika chanted.

Lira started with her ordeal as Kurapika continuous his chant. First she threw on the Alfalfa. The fire rose so high when it burnt the herb. Then she poured the boar’s blood and the same thing happen. The wind suddenly increased its intensity as if the nature is actually responding to us. Then finally Lira poured the unadulterated waters from the spring of Anaha.

I was surprised, but right after Lira poured it the last material, the fire torched high as if it grew a life in itself. It became bigger and fierce.

Suddenly Kurapika stopped and gave the signal for us to make Alluka and the convict touch hands. We aided both unconscious people in reaching each other hand, and just when they were about to touch, I saw a swift glitch went through the convicts head.

He suddenly woke up and started struggling. Killua took Alluka away from the fire while I tackle with the convict. I was about to the knock him unconscious again when Kurapika suddenly shouted.

“Watch out!” he yelled.

But it was too late, a swift stroke went through the convicts neck and it left him dead.

We were all shocked.  We looked around searching for the culprit hiding in the darkness.

Then all of a sudden, Illumi walked through… with his face so white and evil.

Leorio out of madness run to charge on Illumi but he was thrown unconscious with just a swing of Illumin’s hand.

“Why did I receive no invitation?” He said coldly.

“You sly –“ I was about to attack Illumi out of anger but was stunned to realize that I cannot move.

I realized Kurapika also froze to where he’s standing.

“What have you done!” Killua shouted at Illumi, with his anger drawn all over his face. Tears were also building up at the sides if his eyes.

He’s still holding Alluka on his arms.

“Killua, you have long been gone, it’s time for you to go home.” Illumi said.

“I’m not going home!” Killua replied. “How could you do this to our brother!”

“He’s not my brother…” he said coldly. “But you are.” He added.

“Enough of the game needle boy.” Lira spoke.

She turns into Illumi and suddenly Illumi can’t move.

“What brilliant ability…I always knew there was something different about you.” Illumi said.

“Don’t speak.” Lira said and Illumi spoke no more. His mouth shut. His eyes even widen in amazement.

Illumi suddenly hyperextended his neck backwards and even more then we heard his neck bones snap.

His arms moved violently in opposite directions extending and extending until we’ve heard another  awful cracking.

A tear roll down Illumi’s eyes. But no words came out of his mouth.

His knees fell on the ground however his  left front leg instead of bending backwards bended forward which totally decapitated his lower leg from his upper leg… then again, another cracking.

 We heard no screams… but his eyes tell it all. He didn’t like what’s happening to him.

“Lira what are you doing! Killua shouted with his eyes wide and steady on Lira.

“He’s killed our sacrifice so it’s rightful for him to be the replacement.” Lira said coldly.

“Come closer!” she said.

Illumi with his other leg still unbroken crawled next to the fire.

“Lira he’s my brother!” Killua let go of Alluka and stood up to stop Lira but he also froze.

“We’ve been through a lot just to save your brother and now you are yielding.” Lira said in conviction.

“Killua she’s right! There is no other choice, the moon will be covered with clouds soon and we’ll lose our chance to save Alluka!” Kurapika exclaimed.

“Then let it be me!” Killua said.

We all looked at Killua, stunned and shaken with what he have said.

"Killua you can't do this. This isn't right!" I shouted.

Lira looked at him intently and motioned no more.

“Why?” she asks.

“Because nobody should kill his own family.” He said…