The dim corridor seems to be shrinking the further we walk, leading me to traipse alongside Hisoka in a way that has our arms brushing with every movement.

"Good thing we're not claustrophobic," I chuckle lightly, even as my discomfort grows.

To be honest, I freaking hate tight spaces. Reminds me too much of my previous 'home'.

I readjust my backpack for the umpteenth time, something that Hisoka notices.

"You alright, puppy~"

Nodding, I stare at the ground before my feet, "I'm fine."

"Really?"

His warm hand abruptly clamps on mine and he yanks me in front of him. His smirk is lost, replaced with a serious expression.

Surprised, I stare up into his yellow eyes, ears back and tail still.

His grin returns at my defensive stance, "Relax~ It make more sense to walk single file."

I huff, "You coulda said something, jeez. I thought I pissed you off or something."

Continuing our march, with me now in the lead, silence befalls the passageway yet again. I find myself acutely aware of Hisoka right behind me, giving me no space.

I'm thankful though, his presence is keeping me grounded and away from haunting memories of metal bars and the smell of disinfectant.

Sick of the silence, I speak again.

"It's been four hours, hasn't it?"

"Around there."

A loose rock makes me stumble but Hisoka plants his hands on my sides, steadying me.

"Thanks."

He doesn't let go, leaning close to my face so that I can feel his hot breath tickle my cheek, "You're welcome~"

"Personal space, bud," I say, stepping forward.

My heart is beating faster than heavy rain, my face clearly showing my fluster. Lucky he's behind me so he can't see the effect he has.

He's such a cocky bastard.

A hot cocky bastard.

Shaking my head, I make sure to watch my step.

"Anyways, think we'll be the first ones done?"

"Of course."

He's so confident!

So far it's been quite simple.

We've had to deal with quite a few inmates but they proved to be no match. And watching Hisoka fight was completely worth the risk. His movement is so fluid and he works with deadly precision.

Then there was a small obstacle-course challenge. That was really easy, apart from the daunting drop that awaits those who fail it.

And now we're just walking again.

Ahead of us, a brick wall matching those beside us blocks our path.

Placed directly in the centre is another plaque which reads,

'There is something I seek.
While it is bound, it chooses beggars and kings.
When it is freed, it foretells war or woe.
While it is bound, it propels lust or fury.
When it is freed, it tumbles, falls, and fades.
While it is bound, life thrives.
When it is freed, death comes calling.
What is it I seek?'

"A riddle," I muse, reading it over again. "I'm not that good with riddles. . ."

"The answer is simple," Hisoka states, pressing his chest against my back and taking my hand in his.

My face heats up at the action, "What- what are you doing, Hiso-kun?"

His head is directly beside mine, allowing me a glimpse at his seductive face.

Instead of answering me, he flips my hand over to reveal my palm.

Lightly tracing my pointer finger with his sharp finger nail, he pricks the pad of it, drawing a speck of crimson blood.

I don't wince at the sudden pain, opting to look at him quizzically.

He presses the wound against the door, smearing it in a gory display of crimson. Then he pricks his own finger in the same manner, placing it next to mine.

"The answer," he drawls as the wall begins to move upwards, "- is blood~"

I blink at him.

He smirks devilishly.

"Seriously?" I roll my eyes, "You need to learn to communicate instead of this showy, elusive shtick."

He laughs at my irked expression.

"I swear you could've just said something right away," I whine as he simply shakes his head.

"There's no fun in that, puppy~"

I quirk a brow, "I think you're a show off."

"You're only just figuring that out?"

Heaving a sigh, I turn to focus on the open doorway. There appears to be a slide leading downwards, disappearing into darkness.

"That'll save time," I smirk.

He lets out an amused hum, moving in front of me to seat himself. Hisoka then looks at me pointedly.

"What? You can go first, I don't mind."

"C'mere," he pats the space in front of him, which just so happens to be between his long legs. Slyly smirking, he beckons me close.

I cross my arms, "I don't think so."

"Why not?" his smirk fades a bit.

To be honest, I'm a bit on edge from his recent displays. I don't know how I could be stupid enough to forgot that this man is clearly dangerous as hell.

Kinda like someone else I know.

His yellow eyes narrow the longer I hesitate, a chill going down my spine.

Again, he motions for me.

When I don't move right away, a sudden force pulls me forward by the wrist, causing me to stumble.

"Hey-!"

His long strong arms guide me to a seated position, caging next against his warm chest.

"You were taking too long~"

Huffing in irritation, I wiggle in his grasp before giving up and crossing my arms.

"Let's get a move on then," I try to focus on the space in front of me and not the man who's been causing me such grief.

Wind whips past me, the exhilarating feeling of going down such a lengthy slide making me forget my worries.

I can't help but squeal as we pick up speed. Glancing back to see if Hisoka is having as much fun as I am, I find him with his trademark smirk.

His grip on me has loosened substantially, a fact I'm thankful for.

At the base of the slide, I am quick to stand, grinning. My tag is swishing back and forth, stirring up some dust from the floor of the hallway.

"That was fun! I wish we could go again!"

The jester chuckles, ruffling my hair as he walks past me, "Wouldn't you rather win?"

"Good point!" I excitedly follow alongside him, this hallway wider than the last. "I wonder what the next phase will be like?"

I don't get to chat idly for long, a solid wall blocking our path.

"Déjà vu," I hum.

The brick wall slides upwards to reveal a doorway.

Hisoka takes the lead this time, entering a large circular room. All I can hear are the tapping of our feet.

Squinting into the darkness, I notice a male sitting cross legged opposite the opening. There's a staircase attached to the wall as well and it's fitted with many red candles.

They light up all one at a time, revealing the features of the mysterious man. He's got some angry eyebrows and wicked scars across both sides of his face.

"I've been waiting for you. . . Hisoka. I'm not an examiner this year."

Who is this guy?

"I'm here for revenge."

He stands, continuing his spiel.

"Ever since last year's exam, all I've thought about was killing you."

The man whips out a very shiny blade, "Today, I'll get payback for my scars!"

He spins his blade and poses dramatically.

I watch with interest, taking the role of a silent audience. After all, this is personal, just between these two.

Unfazed as ever, Hisoka chuckles lightly, "Those scars merely show that you were an incompetent examiner. You're blaming me for your own inadequacies."

The guy is back to spinning his weapons, "Shut up! Prepare to die."

Wait, when'd he get two blades?

"Two-blade style?" Hisoka voices my thoughts.

A flicker of something like surprise crosses the jester wannabe's face as his opponent reaches behind himself to retrieve two more weapons.

"All-Direction Four Blade Style!"

That's a long name.

"Take this!"

The guy launches his scythes at Hisoka, who easily dodged each one in an epic display of acrobatics.

I observe closely, noting how Hisoka is sliced by the fast blades. He doesn't even react to the injuries though.

"It's not over yet!"

The onslaught never ceases as Hisoka deftly avoids them, doing handstands and flips.

"Up, down, left, right, front and back! You have nowhere to run!"

Getting a good glimpse of the clown's face, I can see that he looks bored.

"You'll be cut from every angle by my endless stream of blades. Dodging my waves of infinite attacks is impossible! I'll have you writhing in pain. . ."

I focus my eyes on the stranger, realizing he isn't wearing a shirt, only a fur vest, showing off his impressive set of abs.

He throws his weapons again and clasps the rest, rushing forwards, "- and then you'll die, Hisoka!"

The man rears back in shock.

Hisoka caught his blades without an issue.

"It would indeed be difficult to dodge your attacks."

With a glance in my direction, Hisoka brings the blade to his face, his pink tongue darting out to lick the edge in a lewd display.

My face heats up.

"So I should simply stope the blades."

He walks forward and spins his new acquisitions, "Oh, it's easier than I anticipated."

He tilts his head, shadows making his expression even more twisted, "I appreciate your futile efforts."

The panicked man throws his head back, "DAMN IT!"

I can only regard his beheading impassively.

After all, he wanted to fight Hisoka.

And he should have realized his mistake sooner.

Clapping slowly, I step away from the wall, "That was cool. I've never seen a person use a technique like that before."

"He was weak."

I roll my eyes as we walk up the stairs.

"Are you hurt bad? I've got first aid in my pack so I can patch you up when we're finished."

"I'm fine, puppy~"

"I'm glad," I smile as we find a new door open for us.

Hisoka enters first and I follow close behind.

'Applicant #44, Hisoka, is the first to pass the Third Phase. Applicant #50, Y/n, is the second to pass the Third Phase. Total time, six hours and seventeen minutes."