Hunter X Hunter: Nen Feaster; Part 1: The Boy and the Burden

Chapter 14: End of Optimism

          Eli made it to Komugi's room just in time. He burst into the room. "Who's there!?" Komugi asked in surprise. Shroud was becoming irritated. There was an attack coming, and he knew it. Eli rushed over to Komugi and said, "Get down!" Eli then got Komugi to the ground and shielded her with his own body. After that, several strange projectiles that looked like small, glowing dragons broke through the ceiling. They rained down from above, breaking anything and anyone who was unlucky enough to get hit by one. A few broke through the ceiling to Komugi's room. They nearly hit Eli and the woman, but Shroud knocked them away with his tendrils. He frantically swatted the air, effectively making a protective barrier, defending both Eli and Komugi. After a few minutes of chaos, the volley stopped. Eli got off of Komugi and took a look at her to make sure she didn't get hurt. "Komugi! Are you okay!?" He asked. She was fine, other than a few scrapes here and there.

"I'm fine, thank you. What's happening?" Komugi asked.

"The palace is under attack."

"Under attack!? Is the Supreme Leader okay?"

"Supreme Leader? You mean the King? I don't know if he's okay. I came straight here to keep you safe."

"That's very kind of you."

"Think nothing of it."

Just then, the King came rushing into the room. "Komugi!" He shouted. He ran over to Komugi and Eli, and kneeled down next to them. "Komugi, are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine, thanks to Eli." Komugi said.

"Good. Thank you, Eli. You have my gratitude." The King said with a sigh of relief. It seemed that the King had become attached to Komugi, just as Pitou had become attached to Eli.

"It was no problem. Where's Pitou? And the others?" Eli asked.

"Pitou has been blown away."

"What!?" Eli shouted in fear.

"They're alive. They were knocked away from the palace."

"Okay... what about the others?"

"I'm not sure. I came straight here. I just happened to see Pitou on my way."

"Okay... okay, uh... I'll go out and help if I can." Eli said.

"You'll help? Eli, Shroud is too unpredictable, he may do more harm than good."

"I have to try!"

"Please remain here, Eli. Shroud is more dependable if you remain here to defend Komugi."

"But the others—" "Please, Eli. It would set my mind at ease knowing that Komugi was safe with you." This gave Eli pause for a moment, but he hesitantly nodded.

Just then, two elder men, humans, walked into the room. They silently looked on at the three. Eli looked at them, both angry and afraid of their actions and their power. Eli could tell that they were strong, maybe as strong as the King. Eli, on instinct, moved in front of Komugi to shield her. "So, you are the ones spear-heading this invasion?" The King asked.

"Bold of you to talk about invasions like that. It's to my understanding that you attacked this poor country and killed off its ruler, claiming yourself to be the new ruler." Said one of the two elders. The one speaking was wearing some kind of t-shirt and shorts. Not attire you'd expect in a battle. The other sported long robes. "You even gathered hundreds of thousands of humans just outside to be culled." The same man continued.

"Wait, what's he talking about?" Eli asked in shock as he looked at the King.

"They were never going to be harmed, Eli, I promise." The King said.