Chapter 1: Start X Succession
Strange beasts and monsters. Vast riches. Hidden treasures. Evil haunts. Uncharted frontiers. The mysterious unknown. The people who are captivated by the magic in those words are called Hunters.
Outside of Zaban City…
A fourteen year old Sinbad raised his hand to block the sun's piercing light. He has long purple hair tied back in a high ponytail with some loose strands framing his face. He wore a white robe-like tunic that's loosely fitted and tied with a white sash around his waist. The sleeves are short and open, revealing bandages on his wrists and forearms. Over the robe, he wears a decorative vest and by his hip rests a sheathed curved sword. His attention fixated on the ocean's horizon as an island expanded in his vision.
"Sinbad!" A voice called from behind. Sinbad turned around to see one of his father's royal aids, standing on the upper deck of the ship. "The King requests your presence!"
In a few strides, Sinbad galloped up the steps and reached the second level. He pushed open the heavy curtains which led to the throne room and entered. Sinbad kept his vision low as he rushed to kneel next to his twin brother, Gilgamesh as they waited for their King to speak. They bowed their heads, refusing to look at the King without his permission.
"My sons, lift up your heads," King David commanded as they both raised their heads. The King's Vessels moved from each of the throne's sides, carrying the Magi Kingdom's insignia on purple pillows. They each stood in front of Sinbad and Gilgamesh, lowering the pillow for both of them to get a closer look. The symbol of their glorious kingdom, the shape of a golden butterfly with only its forewings. "By accepting this bestowment, the King's Candidate Succession will begin."
Sinbad picked up the insignia, a warm sensation was felt all throughout his body as if he stepped into a room of hot steam. He stored the insignia into one of his pockets.
"The rules are simple: become a Floor Master at Heavens Arena, conquer a body of land, and retrieve something of use from the Dark Continent to help our Kingdom prosper," King David announced as his two Vessels returned to his side.
Their father continued, "In addition, every year, an agreed-upon contest must be held between both parties. However, I will not disclose the rewards or consequences of losing these competitions. This is a timed race, whoever loses must complete the tasks within the year, if he fails to do so, then the first to complete will win the Succession. Now, whichever King completes the task first will gain a boon from the King and decide the final contest and then the winner will be crowned King."
King David signalled for the Princes to stand.
"This will be my first boon bestowed to the two of you. 'Nen'."
'This 'Nen' will be the key to my victory.' The Princes thought simultaneously.
As King David finished explaining the rules of the Succession Contest, their ship reached its destination of Zaban City where the 287th Hunter Exam will soon begin. After bidding their father farewell, the Princes departed from the ship. One of King David's Vessels Arba accompanied them to escort them to the first phase of the Hunter Exam.
Sinbad soaked in the bustling harbor of Zaban city, watching the cargo ships be filled with fruits and spices, listening to the hurried conversations of travelers, and taking in the ocean's salty breeze which knocked his long purple hair to the side. He approached Gilgamesh and Arba at the end of the wooden dock. Gilgamesh exposed his sculpted and muscular chest and shoulders, wearing a blue and red vest. He wore red loose satin pants. His wrists were decorated in thick gold bracelets. Even his sandals were gold. The ends of his short blonde hair poked out of the cloth covering which covered the majority of his head.
"You are free to explore the city before the Hunter Exams since we did arrive a few hours early," said Arba. She wore a short fitted top which had short sleeves and a low neckline, a long flowing skirt that wrapped around her waist, and two voluminous braids of hair which reached her achilles.
"What are the Hunter Exams?" Sinbad asked.
Gilgamesh snatched a newspaper from someone walking by and gave them a murderous glare, freezing them on the spot. He began reading.
"A test to acquire a Hunter License. Hunters are given access and privileges–"
"I am a King, I am free to do whatever I please. That is my birthright," Gilgamesh cut her off. Once done flipping through the paper, he slammed the newspaper into the man's chest. "So it's a waste of time."
Gilgamesh walked away from them. "I'm going to Heaven's Arena."
Sinbad watched the man disappear in the crowd of bustling people. 'Father, wouldn't send us here for nothing.'
Arba waited for Sinbad's response.
Sinbad gave a confident smile and said. "Take me to the Hunter Exam."
Underground Tunnel, First Phase of the Hunter Exam…
Now left alone for the first time in Sinbad's life and surrounded by ten strangers, he got bored and decided to take a nap. He strolled to the right wall, unhooked his sword, and rested his back against the wall. Quickly, Sinbad fell asleep.
He opened a single eyelid as he sensed someone approaching, it was a fat tanned skin man, wearing a bag slung over one shoulder. In his hands, he carried an orange colored juice. After taking a few more steps, he offered the drink to Sinbad.
"Would you like something to drink?" The man asked in a friendly tone.
Sinbad accepted the drink, sensing that the man wasn't a threat. "Thanks, I was dying of thirst. Are you trying to strengthen yourself with allies for the Hunter Exam?"
"Yes, it's important to have a select few people you can trust for these Exams. Especially for rookies such as yourself, my name is Tonpa by the way," said Tonpa. He reached out to shake Sinbad's hand.
Sinbad smiled, ignoring the man's hand. "You seem experienced."
"Oh, uh, yeah," Tonpa pulled back his hand and scratched the back of his head. "I have taken the Hunter Exams a few times. "
"Hmm, is that so?" Sinbad mumbled, noticing a few glances from other contestants. He saw them displaying their numbered badges but his badge remained in his pocket. "Do you know anyone that we can add to our alliance?"
'Our alliance? What makes him think we are close? Can he just drink the poison already!' Tonpa irritably thought.
Tonpa took a glance at Sinbad's unopened juice can and then returned his attention to Sinbad's gold colored eyes. He rubbed his hands together. "The top contestants to look out for are the Amori Brothers, Todo the wrestler, and Bourbon the Snake Charmer. I suggest we form an alliance with the Snake Charmer."
As Tonpa listed the top contestants, he pointed at each individual and Sinbad got a good look at them.
"Snakes are poisonous," said Sinbad, faking to be scared of the creatures.
"Huh?" Tonpa wore a look of confusion. "Are you afraid of snakes?"
"No," Sinbad answered as he opened the can of juice. He lifted the drink toward his lips but stopped. "Im more afraid of their venom."
Tonpa nodded, hesitantly. "That makes sense."
"Yo, I wouldn't drink that if I were you." A voice came from Sinbad's right, he was a boy even younger than Sinbad. He wore a white short sleeved shirt and a long blue sleeved shirt underneath, with dark gray shorts, and had all white hair. He was sipping from an identical orange can while standing on a skateboard. He chugged the rest of the juice.
'Of course, I never planned on drinking it. I am a King, I don't drink anything from strangers.'
Sinbad stood, he was a few inches taller than the both of them. "Then, why are you drinking it?"
Tonpa took two steps backwards.
"Because it tastes good. To me at least," Killua replied with a smug face. He turned toward Tonpa. "Mr old man, can I please get another one?"
"Uh, sure." Tonpa fidgeted as he pulled another juice can from his bag and handed it to Killua. He snapped open the can and began drinking.
Once realizing how terrifying the white haired kid was, Tonpa thought. 'I must stay away from him during the exam. Dammit! I almost got him to drink the laxative.'
"Are you resistant to poison?" Sinbad asked Killua.
"I'm resistant to a lot of things but this isn't poisoned," Killua replied. With his free hand, he pointed at Sinbad's sword which remained on the ground. "Is that yours?"
Sinbad bent over to pick up his slightly curved sword and unsheathed it. He offered the silver blade with a blue ornate hilt to Killua.
Killua's eyes sparkled as he accepted the sword and put distance between the two. Skillfully, he wielded the blade, slicing the air with a maniacal smile.
"My name is Sinbad. What is yours?"
"Killua."
For the next ten minutes, Sinbad learned how to skateboard and perform multiple flips and tricks till the last three people arrived for the first phase of the Hunter Exam. The barely lit up tunnel was now filled with four hundred and four contestants. From the depths of the tunnel, a skinny man in a butler tuxedo approached them.
"My name is Satotz, I will be your examiner for the first phase of the 287th Hunter Exam," Satotz said, the words came from lips but they were impossible to see. "Follow me."
The first phase of the Hunter Exam had begun as all four hundred and four contestants jogged behind Satotz.