Mario arrives at the spot marked on his D-pad, after a long and stressful foot race with Mari. He is sweating profusely, and hasn't seen Mari since he took off. After taking a minute to catch his breath, Mario begins to look around. He sees a compound with a lot of large buildings, not so far away. He assumes victory, and begins to approach the compound, but hears someone call to him from the top of a tree.
Mari: Yo, O. Took you long enough.
Mario: What did you just call me?
Mari: O.
Mari jumps down from the tree branch, and walks up to Mario.
Mari: You know, O. My name is Mari and you're Mario. Subtract my name from yours, and you get ''O''. So that's what I'm gonna call you from now on.
Mario: You're the worst at giving nicknames, but I don't care what you call me, anyway, so suit yourself. I'm guessing that's the place.
Mario points towards the direction of the buildings.
Mari: Just not any place. The HQ! At least for now.
Mario: You know, for an organization that's supposed to be covert, we sure do have a glorious HQ.
Mari: That's DDI. Demon dogs institute. An agency that deals on accounting and finance, among many other fields. We are all workers there, to the public. So, it's all a part of the disguise. Are you going to stand here all day, or do you want to meet other hunters like yourself, who probably think it's weird for me to be hanging out with a loser like you?
On hearing this, Mario explodes.
Mario: How dare you call me a loser, you blue haired lollipop licking brat?!
Someone walks past both of them, but then turns towards them, on seeing Mari.
Nick: Mari. Good day to you...
He looks at Mario.
Nick: What are you doing with a loser like this dude, if I may ask?
Mario instantly explodes again.
Mario: How dare you call me a loser, you nitwit?!
Mari: Go on ahead, Nick. I'll be there shortly.
Nick gives Mario a stern look before leaving.
Mari: The only way to get respect around here is to earn it. You have to learn that.
Mario: Says the guy who talks with a lollipop in his mouth.
Mari: Do not bring my lollipops into this.
Mario: Let's just go.
Mario and Mari enter the compound, where they are made to go through a series of tests before they finally reach the event room. To Mario's amazement, there are a lot of people present. Mario whispers to Mari.
Mario: Do you mean to tell me that everyone here signed up for a death wish?
Mari: Not everyone sees it like that, and this really isn't everyone. Hunters who live far from here can't attend, and gathering all the hunters in one place is a major risk. So, they assemble us strategically.
Mario: There are like...hundreds of people here.
Mari: Not hundreds, O. There are thousands in attendance. You're not alone. We all share the same goal.
A man steps up to the podium and addresses the crowd, using the sound system, put in place for this purpose.
Malcolm: As chief spokesperson of DDI, it is my honour to welcome you brave hearts to the gathering of the courageous. We have been graced today by the attendance of three captains.
YOU ARE READING
DEMON HUNT
FantastikMario Cadel gets caught up in a series of tragic events that opens his eyes to the mysteries and darkness in the world. He begins a struggle to establish peace but whether he succeeds or not is another matter...
