Chapter Text
Rudo was somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be.
He did not fall to the pits.
He was not back home.
He was in a tunnel.
With the walls rusty and tubes lining to the side, circle red lights.
People surrounding him with weapons.
But they were all minding their own business.
Seemingly waiting for something to happen.
He heard some people say something about a hunters exam.
What is this exam?.
Does it involve hunting?
Rudo was confused, scared even.
But most of all he was pissed.
The memories were fresh.
Of course they are, it was just a few hours ago.
So many things happen in such a short time.
He was sent to the pits after being accused of murdering his father.
And that accusation was very fucking wrong.
He did not kill his beloved father.
But he knows who did.
A masked intruder with a white cloak covering their body.
And a dagger by their side, covered in a dark red color.
with his father on the ground, coughing out blood.
His eyes were soft even at a time like this.
“ make this shitty world a better place to live in-”
Those were the last words his father gave to him.
Those were the last words his father pleaded to him.
Before he was killed.
Rudo watches all it happen, right in front of his eyes.
Then he was hanging just right above the drop.
His eyes scanned the crowd.
Looking for his friend.
But she just looked away and said words that fuel his rage.
And he was dropped.
Rapidly plumbing down.
The only thought he could process in that time was why.
Why did this happen to him?
Why did the universe hate him?
Why now?
But those questions were left unanswered.
something more abnormal happened.
When he fell down, passed the white mist and into a huge space.
Between the space was a dark humanoid creature.
It was massive.
And it felt like it was staring at him.
He remembered feeling a chill go down his back.
Then he passed the space and into the clouds again.
Black spots formed around his vision and a ringing sound by his ears.
He blackout and woke up here.
He was leaning against the wall, unsteady and fuzzy.
Then a bean came up to him, handing him a badge.
He thought he was crazy when he saw that.
But the green bean just gave him a badge then walked away with a smile.
He was more concerned about how he got here.
Surrounded by people with weapons.
But their shoulders weren’t tense, they were just waiting.
But waiting for what?.
He doesn’t know.
But stayed in the spot he woke up in and waited.
For what?.
For whatever the other people are waiting for.
He buried his face into his arms and exhaled shakily.
He felt more calm than he was a while ago.
The badge he had was on his clothes, right on his chest.
Rudo lifts his face and scans the crowd.
It’s been a few hours since he woke up here.
He lowered his legs and spread them out.
Arms crossed over his chest, as an attempt for comfort.
He closed his eyes and slightly moved his head down.
curls drooped over, covering half of his face.
A small nap sounds nice.
But the threat of people so near him made him tense.
So he settled down with just fiddleing with his badge on his chest.
He glided his gloved fingers around the metal white circle object and hummed.
Everyone and thing around him was just a blurry, solely focused on the badge.
But that calm feeling quickly disappeared.
A loud and terror filled scream echoed throughout the tunnel.
Rudo flinched hard.
What was that?!.
He quickly pushed himself upward from the ground and scanned the crowd.
People's heads were turned to the left, which meant the sound came from that direction.
He turned his head and went deeper into the crowd of people.
He twisted his body to not bump anyone and caught sight of what looked like a man kneeled down with..his arms fading Into small flowers?.
Rudo eyes widen.
What the hell?.
How is that possible?.
“ my, how unusual “.
He blinked and turned his pupils toward the pink haired clown.
Yellow sharp eyes stared down at the whimpering man.
“ seems like this poor man's arms have turned into flower petals “ the smirk the clown wore grew.
His pale arms spread out halfway.
“ Now you see them, now you don’t “.
Rudo swallows nervously.
The clown looked and was dangerous, best to stay away from him.
“ You should be more careful, “ the pale man said with a mocking tone.
The yellow eyes sharpened with an open smile.
“ and do apologize if you bump into someone “.
Wait-
All that for bumping into him?.
Rudo stepped back and turned his body to walk away from the sight.
He needs to be more careful now that he’s seen that happen.
There were dangerous individuals here, he knows that.
But he didn’t think they were that dangerous?!.
He shivers and cups his palms over his arms.
God he just wants to go home.
But home is far from here, whatever here is.
Rudo leaned against the wall and exhaled.
His eyes glanced down at the ground.
He’s dreading the hunters exam.
He has no idea what it is.
But it has attracted lots of people for them to be here.
He tilted his head up and caught sight of a man coming towards him.
The middle aged man smiles and waves.
Rudo frowns.
Huh?.
“ You must be new to the exam right? “ the man asked.
“...yeah “.
The guy's smile widened.
“ my apologies, I should have introduced myself, I'm Tonpa! “.
Rudo crimson eyes narrowed “ Rudo “.
Tonpa dug into his bag and brought out two drinks.
“ It's best to be hydrated and prepared, yeah? “ he held out the drink.
Does this guy think he’s dumb?.
Rudo huffs “ no thanks, i don’t take drinks from strangers “.
Tonpa blinks and his smile slightly faded “ but aren’t you thirsty? “.
“ no “.
Short and simple.
Rudo watched as the man sighs and puts his drink back in his bag.
“ Alright kid, good luck on the exam “.
“ yeah “.
The man left.
Finally,
Rudo tilted his head back and stared at the metal above him.
It was clear this man put something in the drink,
-and who in their right mind would accept a drink from a stranger?.
A loud groaning sound made him look back down and blink.
Oh.
Guess there are some people who would take drinks from a stranger.
He huffs and pulls at the collar of his hoodie.
It was actually getting pretty warm in here, or maybe it was just him.
He removed the badge and shoved it in his pocket.
He grabs the cloth and pulls it over his head, revealing a gray tank top over his frame.
Fresh air blows against his skin making him sigh in relief.
His gloved fingers folded his loose hoodie and hung it over his forearm.
Rudo fans himself and closes his eyes, enjoying the small breeze of air against his warm skin.
But he was interrupted by a very very loud ring alarm.
He squeaked and hiked his shoulder up.
What is it now?!.
He turned his head just in time to see a lanky and tall man with a mustache stand in front of a wall
A small creature was yanked back and towards the lanky man with a string.
The sound of grinding came from the wall sliding upwards.
“ I apologize for the delay “.
Rudo blinked and moved away from the wall.
Is the exam starting?.
“ the entry period for the hunters applicants is officially closed “.
Huh?.
“ so, with no further ado “.
The once calm but stiff air suddenly turned excited and suffocating..
“ The hunter exam will now begin “.
Rudo tensed up.
Oh shit.