hunter x hunter: son of time

Kael woke up early, the excitement of the Hunter Exam buzzing in his veins. He joined Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio for breakfast, where they shared their thoughts and strategies for the next phase. The camaraderie among them was palpable, and Kael felt a deepening bond with his new friends.

As they made their way to the exam hall, Kael noticed a familiar face in the crowd—his younger brother, Killua. A mischievous grin spread across Killua's face as he approached the group.

"Hey, big brother! Fancy seeing you here," Killua said, his tone playful.

Kael ruffled Killua's hair affectionately. "Good to see you, Killua. I didn't expect you to take the exam this year."

Killua shrugged. "I got bored at home. Figured I'd give it a shot."

Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio looked at the two brothers with curiosity. Gon smiled brightly. "Hi, I'm Gon. Nice to meet you!"

Killua nodded, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Nice to meet you too, Gon. I'm Killua."

The group continued to chat as they entered the exam hall, where the next phase was about to begin. The examiner, a man named Satotz, introduced the challenge—a survival test in the dense Numere Wetlands, also known as the Swindler's Swamp. The goal was to follow Satotz through the dangerous terrain to reach the second phase of the exam.

As they prepared to set off, Kael felt a familiar presence nearby. Turning his head, he spotted Illumi, his older brother, disguised as Gittarackur, watching him with an unreadable expression. Illumi's eyes were cold and calculating, a stark contrast to Killua's playful demeanor.

"Be careful, Kael," Illumi said softly, his voice carrying a hint of menace. "This exam is not for the faint of heart."

Kael met Illumi's gaze, unflinching. "I know, Illumi. I won't let my guard down."

With that, the group set off into the swamp. Kael, Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua worked together, navigating the treacherous terrain and avoiding the deceptive creatures that inhabited the area. Their teamwork and trust in each other grew stronger with each passing hour.

During a brief rest, Leorio grumbled about the lack of comfortable accommodations. "This is worse than the hospital waiting room," he muttered, earning laughs from the group.

Kurapika smirked. "At least you don't have to wear that tie in the middle of a swamp."

Leorio tugged at his tie, frowning. "It's called professionalism."

Killua rolled his eyes, his tone teasing. "More like overdressing."

Gon laughed, his infectious enthusiasm lifting everyone's spirits. "Come on, guys. We're doing great! Let's keep going."

As they continued their journey, Kael kept a close eye on the surroundings, using his knowledge from his past life to anticipate dangers and guide his friends. His abilities came in handy more than once, helping them avoid the myriad traps and pitfalls of the swamp.

The group's progress was not unnoticed. Hisoka, ever the predator, watched them from the shadows with a gleeful smile. He relished the challenge that Kael and his friends presented, eager to test their strength and resolve.

One evening, as they set up camp, Hisoka made his move. He appeared before them, his presence sending a chill down their spines. Kael tensed, knowing the threat Hisoka posed.

"Good evening, my friends," Hisoka purred, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I couldn't resist joining your little group."

Kurapika's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Hisoka?"

Hisoka's smile widened. "Oh, just a little fun. Let's see how strong you've become."

Kael stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Everyone, go on ahead. I'll handle this."

Gon looked concerned. "Are you sure, Kael?"

Kael nodded. "I need to measure my strength. This is as good a time as any."

The group hesitated but ultimately followed Kael's instructions, moving a safe distance away while keeping an eye on the battle.

Hisoka's grin widened. "How exciting. Let's see what you're made of."

With a flick of his wrist, Hisoka launched his Bungee Gum, attaching the elastic aura to a nearby tree and using it to propel himself forward. Kael sprang into action, his time manipulation abilities allowing him to predict and evade Hisoka's moves. Killua, though skilled, found himself struggling against Hisoka's overwhelming power.

Realizing Killua's predicament, Kael quickly formulated a strategy. "Killua, fall back! Let me handle this."

Killua hesitated for a moment before nodding and retreating to a safer distance. Kael faced Hisoka, determination burning in his eyes. The clash was intense, each side pushing the other to their limits.

Hisoka's movements were fluid and deceptive, making it difficult to predict his attacks. Kael activated his Temporal Vision, allowing him to see brief glimpses of Hisoka's next moves. This gave him a split-second advantage, enabling him to dodge Hisoka's strikes with precision.

"Interesting," Hisoka murmured, his smile widening. "You can see into the future, can't you?"

Kael didn't respond, focusing on Hisoka's movements. He used Time Stasis to freeze Hisoka's arm mid-attack, then countered with a swift strike to Hisoka's side. Hisoka laughed, clearly enjoying the challenge.

Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio watched from a distance, their expressions a mix of awe and concern. Leorio, always one to lighten the mood, muttered, "I'm starting to think I should have brought a lawn chair for this show."

Kurapika smirked. "If you had, you would have had to carry it through the swamp."

Leorio sighed dramatically. "Worth it for the comfort."

Meanwhile, Kael continued his battle with Hisoka. He used Chrono Shift to enhance his speed and reflexes, dodging and countering Hisoka's attacks. The fight was a blur of motion, each strike and parry executed with precision and finesse.

Hisoka's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Yes, this is what I was hoping for!"

With a final burst of speed, Kael used Aging Touch to weaken Hisoka's Bungee Gum, causing it to lose its elasticity. Hisoka, sensing the shift in power, laughed once more. "Impressive. Very impressive. I look forward to our next encounter."

With that, Hisoka disappeared into the night, leaving the group to catch their breath. Kael felt a surge of adrenaline, the thrill of battle still coursing through him.

"That was close," Gon said, his eyes wide with excitement. "We did it!"

Kael smiled, feeling a sense of pride in their teamwork. "Yeah, we did. But we need to stay vigilant. Hisoka won't be the last challenge we face."

Leorio, ever the joker, added, "And next time, I'll make sure to bring that lawn chair."

The next morning, the group resumed their journey, their bond stronger than ever. They faced numerous challenges, from fierce creatures to cunning traps, but their trust in each other never wavered. Kael's knowledge from his past life guided them, while their individual strengths complemented each other perfectly.

As they reached the second phase of the exam, Satotz greeted them with a nod of approval. "Congratulations. You've passed this phase of the exam."

The group cheered, their hard work and determination paying off. Kael felt a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing that their journey was far from over. With new friendships and rivalries forged, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.