Shadow of the Hunt

Kilua and Alluka pressed on through the forest, the oppressive silence lingering after their battle with the chimera beast. Each step felt heavier, the adrenaline slowly leaving Kilua's body and allowing the full weight of exhaustion to set in.

Alluka clung to his hand, her small fingers trembling slightly. "Kilua, are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with concern.

Kilua forced a reassuring smile. "I'm fine," he said, though the pain in his side told a different story. "We just need to find somewhere safe to rest."

The forest grew denser as they moved further from the clearing, the canopy above blotting out the moonlight. Kilua's sharp senses stayed on high alert, his eyes scanning for any sign of danger.

After what felt like hours, they stumbled upon an abandoned cabin nestled among the trees. It was small and weathered, its wooden walls covered in moss, but it was intact—a rare find in such an isolated area.

Kilua approached cautiously, his hand crackling faintly with electricity as he pushed the door open. The interior was dark and musty, but there was no immediate sign of danger.

"This will do," Kilua said, stepping inside.

Alluka hesitated in the doorway. "What if something's in here?"

Kilua ruffled her hair gently. "Nothing I can't handle," he said with a smirk, though the tiredness in his eyes betrayed him.

After securing the cabin and finding a few scattered supplies, Kilua sank onto an old, creaky chair. He winced as he peeled back his shirt to inspect the wound on his side. It wasn't deep, but it needed attention.

Alluka hurried to his side, her eyes wide with worry. "You're hurt!"

"It's nothing," Kilua replied, trying to downplay it.

But Alluka wasn't convinced. She grabbed a clean cloth from the supplies and began tending to his wound with surprising care. "You're always protecting me," she said quietly. "I want to help too."

Kilua's heart ached at her words. He placed a hand on her head, his voice soft. "You're already helping just by being here."

For a moment, the tension eased, and the siblings sat together in the dim cabin. But Kilua's thoughts were far from peaceful.

Illumi's words echoed in his mind. Strength alone won't be enough to protect her.

He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. No matter how much he trained, how far he pushed himself, it always felt like he was one step behind—always running, always reacting.

A sudden noise snapped him out of his thoughts. A faint rustling came from outside the cabin, followed by a low growl. Kilua's body tensed, his instincts kicking in.

"Alluka, get behind me," he whispered, his voice urgent but calm.

Alluka obeyed without question, retreating to the corner of the room. Kilua stepped toward the door, his aura sparking to life as he prepared for another fight.

The door creaked open slowly, and a figure stepped into the dim light.

"Kilua," the voice was familiar, cold and calculated.

Kilua's eyes widened. "Hisoka? What are you doing here?"

The magician's trademark smirk spread across his face as he leaned casually against the doorframe. "Oh, I was just passing through," he said, his tone dripping with amusement. "Imagine my surprise when I felt your little scuffle with that chimera beast. Quite the performance, by the way."

Kilua's jaw tightened. "I don't have time for your games, Hisoka. What do you want?"

Hisoka chuckled, his eyes glinting with a dangerous curiosity. "Always so serious, Kilua. Relax. I'm not here to fight—at least, not yet."

"Then leave," Kilua said firmly, his aura sparking as a warning.

But Hisoka didn't budge. Instead, he tilted his head, his expression growing more intense. "You've changed, Kilua. Grown stronger. But strength isn't enough, is it?"

Kilua's glare hardened. "What's your point?"

Hisoka stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low, almost conspiratorial tone. "I'm saying you're at a crossroads. You can keep running, keep hiding… or you can embrace the chaos and see where it takes you."

Kilua didn't respond, his mind racing. Hisoka's words were unsettlingly similar to Illumi's, but coming from him, they felt even more sinister.

Alluka peeked out from behind Kilua, her small voice breaking the tension. "Who is he, Kilua?"

Kilua stepped in front of her protectively. "No one you need to worry about."

Hisoka's gaze shifted to Alluka, and for a moment, his smile faltered. "Ah, the infamous Alluka. Or should I say Nanika?"

Kilua's aura flared dangerously. "Don't you dare—"

Hisoka held up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Kilua. I'm not here to harm her. Quite the opposite, actually. I find her… fascinating."

"That's enough," Kilua said through gritted teeth. "Leave. Now."

Hisoka studied him for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle. "Very well. I'll leave—for now. But remember, Kilua, the path you choose will determine everything. I'll be watching."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Kilua and Alluka alone once more.

Kilua let out a shaky breath, his fists still clenched. The encounter had left him rattled, but he couldn't afford to dwell on it.

"Are we safe now?" Alluka asked, her voice trembling.

Kilua knelt beside her, his expression softening. "For now," he said. "But we have to be ready. Things are going to get harder from here."

And deep down, Kilua knew Hisoka was right. The choices he made now would shape their future—for better or worse.

..............

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