Its weary steel structure creaks as unsettling – never settling waters undulate beneath, causing it to crash up and down in time with the waves and even shift it from side to side threatening to buckle in its entirety. 'It' is the 'S.S Cullwind' as that's what is in fading writing along the side of the ship, the transportation vessel solely responsible for transporting a specific sort of cargo to an indeterminate location.
"Hello, prospects. I'm the captain," The breathiest of sighs ensue. "This is a one way ticket, if you want to go back it's already too late." From a young man standing on the deck before a diverse group of individuals hanging onto every word.
"...That's all from me, feel free to explore the ship. It has all the amenities you'll need, a sleeping area, canteen, and the like." The captain steps through the group who gives him a wide berth as he walks up the stairs to their rear, entering a small cabin overlooking the deck.
They're left to mingle among themselves. This isn't a daycare, these people aren't mere children, they are prospective Hunters.
Out of nowhere, someone speaks in a singsong voice: "The mysteries left unanswered… The miracles wrested from God… The curses that stain the Earth in blackness. All in history, and all no longer. The ones who pursue such things are—"
The crowd separates and turns inward as if a virus is spreading amongst them upon hearing such an eerie recitation. In the centre stands a young woman reading from a book.
"I don't think now the time to be pulling stunts like that, girl." One man from the many speaks.
She doesn't look at him, but prefers to stare into space, staring through the people in range of her gaze as if they're not there. The mannerism can be put into comparison with a pigeon's.
"I assumed you mustn't be talking to me; there aren't any girls nearby. Did you know that?" The girl in question looks up from her book and outstretches her hand expectantly as she smiles. "Akira Karyukai, nice to meet you Leorio Paradknight. I'm going to be a Hunter just like you."
"W-What the hell, how do you know my name you freak!? Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Leorio smacks her hand away.
"Poor reception I take it. By the way, I was just testing the waters, you guys get scared way too easily. That's troublesome—"
Leorio throws a punch at Akira that lands square on her face with a heavy thud, throwing her back into the nearby railings. Her body folds backwards as her back bounces off the metal before she hits the ground on all fours, quaking.
Blood pours onto the ground through the gaps between her hands covering her mouth.
"For someone who talks so much you went down pretty easily. Hunter my ass. It's Mr. Leorio to you from now on." He moves to finish it off with a swift kick to the gut. However, another leg intercepts his.
"That's enough..."
"What is it now? Does everyone want a piece of me or something!?"
"Kurapika, that's all you may know. I signed up for this exam so I could hunt lamebrain degenerates like yourself. It's clear you've won the fight already, now wrap it up." Kurapika's booming voice wards off the thinning crowd of onlookers.
Leorio looks around, not looking as though he'll budge.
"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not some scumbag..." He walks off, giving both Akira and Kurapika a stern look all the while.
Once he's gone, Kurapika gives the still kneeling Akira a once over, his eyes narrowing. "...The people who pursue such things are Hunters. Now tell me, why didn't you defend yourself? I'm sure you could've easily dodged but you didn't even pretend to try." He smirks. "Don't bother trying to fool me, I can tell you're unhurt."
A short silence follows before she unhands her bloody face. "I want to be a Hunter who procures talents, I was simply assessing his talent. He has none if you must know."
"Curious. One more thing... Do you also know my name?" Kurapika's eyes darken into abysses.
"Judging by your face, I think I'd be in danger if I said yes. So, I know nothing."
"Of course you don't."
Kurapika doesn't bother continuing the exchange, opting to turn on his heels and leave Akira alone. With that, everyone disperses, going on to do as they please to pass the time whilst the ship ferries them to their destination. There aren't many options besides sleeping, eating, or exploring the ship.
Meanwhile, the captain looks down at the remnants of the commotion through the window of his cabin.
"This is our next batch of applicants? I fear they won't last the night on my ship let alone the rest of the Hunter Exam." He reclines into his seat. "Takayanagi. Set the course, we're headed to The Moorland."
"That Moorland, sir?" Takayanagi – the helmsman – replies, standing in front of a complex console consisting of sensors, switches, and the like.
"Yes 'that' one... Three siblings: two brothers, and one sister. It's not known what they look like exactly, some describe them as blonde-haired, others say black. What is known for certain is that no-one survives an encounter."
"How do you expect them to survive?"
"...That's up to them. If they can't handle something this basic, they're not suited to being Hunters."