Chapter 199 - My OC/SI Stash #99 - Hunter Hunter by thecosmicrondo (HunterXHunter) (2/2)

I closed my eyes and breathed in, ”Who and what are you?/Where am I/What happened to me?” Somehow, someway, my three questions came out simultaneously. Yet, for some reason, my mind was calm and content. I wanted to be enraged and yet couldn't even muster the beginning of annoyance. My voice was off as well: it was dull and placid, not outraged and explosive as ought to be. Strangest of all, it felt like there was a reverb or an echo that trailed my voice.

I kept my eyes closed. I heard her laugh. It wasn't a nice laugh, or at least I didn't take it as one. It was hollow with an amused tone. It also sounded...wrong. Like when someone taps a mic on stage and it makes that terrible noise. Her voice was no longer friendly, it felt downright sinister. It should've sent chills down my spine. Instead, I continued to feel calm and heavenly: like some brain dead fool. Logically that frightened me, emotionally I was as immutable as a marble statue.

”My home is paradise. It has that effect on people.” I didn't need to see, I could hear the smirk.

I breathed in and out, ”Who and what are you? Where am I and what happened to me?” I repeated again, struggling to be more forceful and utterly failing. Disturbingly, this time my questions and words were out of order. As time was going back and forth instead of sequentially.

She didn't seem to have any problem understanding me as she just as easily dismissed me, ”Hmph. Why should I tell you anything, boy? I bring you to my home, give you tea and you treat me like a devil! As if I would do something terrible to you. The arrogance! You don't even warrant the effort for me to consider the thought!”

I breathed in and out, ”You're just angry I'm doing my best not to think. Ruining your fun.”

”I will admit I am peeved. I enjoy teasing, but you are a spoil-sport and a horrible tea guest.”

I breathed in and out, ”Then stop reading my mind, stop forcing me to be calm, and stop messing with my mind. I assure you, I will be better company if you do.”

A tiny hiss escaped her, ”Fine! I promise not to read your mind or alter your perception. But, I will keep my geas activated. My paradise must always be pleasant. Also, it is for your own protection.”

I opened my eyes and saw a scrutinizing look on her face as she sipped some of her tea. I kept my breathing steady ”How do I know you are not lying?”. She rolled her eyes in response.

”You do not, but you should no longer be...completely disoriented. But to further assure you…” She lifted her hand casually as I felt a tingling sensation on my right hand. I looked down to see a green symbol that looked like a stylized tree suddenly imprinted on the back of my hand.

”With this, I will be unable to read your mind. It will also serve to identify yourself as belonging to me. Well, to those who matter anyway.” A satisfied smirk spread across her face.

Thank you meditation exercises (but f_u_c_k you anxiety disorders). I finally stopped breathing like a yoga guru and felt relief. Which, paradoxically, was both impossible and very real. All I felt was unending calmness. I poured myself another cup of tea, this time(heh) no weird smash cuts or time skips. I appeased her I said halfheartedly, ”I'm sorry for my behavior.” Her eyebrows shot up like rockets.

She quirked one of her eyebrows, ”Hmph. You keep surprising me.”

”Why is that?”

”You were quite rude and difficult, yet justified in doing so. Most would not apologize for what they see as being in the right.” Internally I rolled my eyes and sighed. I've met people like her. She was a narcissist and, with the power she had, she had every reason to be. At least she was somewhat aware she was in the wrong.

I shrugged and half-lied, ”I think that you're right. To be fair, I would be having a panic attack right about now. I mean, this situation would guarantee it.” She smirked. Instantly I knew, in no uncertain terms, I made a mistake.

Lying bitch! Always pleasant my ass!

I clutched my stomach as I fell forward. I was performing an embarrassing version of the fetal position. My a_s_s hung the air, while my head and knees acted as the legs of a tripod. All I could do was grit my teeth and do my best to fight it. Worse she kept turning on and off her 'geas', leaving me defenseless against her onslaught. My mind went from calm and ignorant, to sheer unbridled hysteria. I couldn't even build a tolerance to it, that was how powerful her damned 'geas' was. And she kept doing it.

Over and over.

I had a similar experience once when I was a kid, except without the supernatural bullshit. My friends and I were playing hide and seek. I had decided to hide in a backyard that, unbeknownst to me, held an enormous pit bull. Every time it growled at me I thought it was going to rip me apart, and every time I relaxed it barked at me like a savage monster. It finally ended an hour later when the owner found me crying and cowering against his fence.

I didn't consider myself brave, or hell, even courageous. As I remembered it; the former involved being too ignorant to be scared of danger and the later involved being stupid enough to face it. I did my best to keep my head down and pick my battles. Battles I could win.

But, at the same time, I wouldn't call myself a coward. It wasn't the best word to describe me. Especially not in this situation. No, you can't be a coward when a beast like a bear or a tiger had you at is mercy. All you could hope for was a quick death or hope it decided not to eat you. Given those terrible options I did everything to avoid those situations. To avoid no-win situations by controlling everything up to that point.

I was pragmatic. I prided myself on managing to live in a f_u_c_k_e_d-up world where everything was out to get you. Only allowed the b_a_r_e minimum and somehow surviving with it. Always expecting the other shoe to drop. Where you could only trust yourself. I wasn't a dark, edgy, brooding asshole. No, I was a cynical and jaded man because that's what I needed to be to survive since I was sixteen. But I'd sooner kill myself than beg this bitch to stop. And I refused to die on my knees or be tortured to death on them.

I had some f_u_c_k_i_n_g pride.

With all the strength I could muster, I put my right hand on the ground, then my left. I pushed my upper body up, my teeth protesting in pain from how hard I bit down. Tears and snot flowed freely both my eyes and my nose respectively. I was a mess, yet I didn't care.

Everything blood red. Pedro's horrified face stared at me as the ground traveled up to meet me. Why is my body over there? Why am I so far away from my body? Everything faded to black.

”I'm dead! Why am I here and who are you!” I roared while whipping my head up to see her. I spat those words out with all the rage and fury I could muster.

Her smile-.

It was-.

There was no good way to describe it. I didn't know if it was the effects of her home or just my imagination, but I swear to whatever god was up there her lips stretched inhumanly far. Her jaw unhinged. Further, than any human's mouth had any right to. But worst off was her teeth. They looked as sharp as daggers. And undulated. It was as though a shark's mouth was transplanted onto her face. That then decided to pull a Pennywise.

Then it was all gone. The face of a-.

She had-.

All I knew was that she looked human again. One thing I was certain wasn't an illusion was her eyes. I understood what I was staring at, for whatever reason, was the absolute truth. Her eyes were glowing completely green. Not a speck of white was showing. It was bright green. The kind of green on a healthy flower. The light rose up in an arc from the sides of her eyes and before breaking apart, like petals blowing away in the wind.

I took that all in within a split second. And I wished to god I hadn't. I believed I was prepared for the truth, but I was not prepared for what was next. The moment she spoke it felt like I was being hit by arctic winds.

”Yes. You are dead. I am called the Healer, among other names. But, you will call me Lady Zhulong.”

Every single word slammed down on me with the force of what felt like a freight train. This wasn't a metaphor, some force slammed down on my entire body, threatening to slam me right into the dirt. It took all my will and physical strength not to collapse flat on the ground.

She stood up and, I swear I wish I could make this up, she was suddenly as tall as a skyscr_a_p_er. I blinked several times, hoping I was just hallucinating. Unfortunately...I was not. Her head was stories up, yet I could still see her eyes as clear as day: glowing with that powerful, insidious green light as she gazed down upon me like the insect that I might as well be.

”And you will be my brother's servant.”

With her last words, my world faded to black.

Author Notes:

Hey all. How's it going?

If you have read this far, I just want to give you my thanks for taking the time to read this first chapter. A few things before we continue on to chapter 2:

As you no doubt have noticed, this is an OC/IC story, but it will be different then the average insert fic. The status quo will change, repercussions will happen, and most importantly this will not be a power fantasy/self-absorbed story where the protagonist fixes everything and gets everything they wanted.

Think of this story as more of a Isekai or 'Trapped in another world story'. All I ask is you keep me in check so I don't destroy poor James Hartford's mind and soul.

So dear reader, I thank you again! I hope you enjoy this story set in the Hunter X Hunter world. Please leave a review.

See you on to chapter 2.