DEMON HUNT

Chapter 18: Blood and tears

The moonlight lights the area. The crickets make their presence known as the cold breeze sweeps through the forest. At one end, Mari and Renard are fighting, and at the other, Yash and Humberto are still suspended by the ropes. Mario is frozen on his knees, leaning on Dark nemesis, which is planted in the soil. His head is tilted downwards,a and his eyes are dead cold. Mundo looks down on him and slowly walks behind him, slowly using his hand to stroke Mario's face, and finally settles on Mario's shoulder as he bends to whisper into Mario's ears.

Mundo: Don't be so sad. This was better than I imagined. Most people aren't privileged to know that you humans actually die twice. The first, as you are now experiencing, is the one that takes place when you watch all your dreams and aspirations go up in smoke. The most popular one is the conventional kind that your friends will soon experience. You'll follow shortly after.

Mundo returns to his former position, right in front of Mario.

Mundo: I love the look on their faces right before they scream. I'm so going to enjoy this. Execution happens in seven, six, five, four, three, two-

Mundo's countdown is interrupted by a swing from Mario's blade, which he dodges effortlessly.

Mundo: Whoops. You missed.

Mario smirks as he raises his head slowly.

Mario: I wasn't aiming for you.

Mundo: Oh? That so? What were you aiming for then?

Mundo hears a loud thud from behind.

Mundo: Impossible! It can't be...

Mundo turns slowly and sees Yash and Humberto on the ground with the rope apparently severed.

Mundo: This can't be... That sword...where did you get that sword?!

Mundo's disbelief soon converts into extreme anger. He turns sharply towards Mario with malice radiating from his entire being.

Mundo: You... I don't care what you think you did, but the countdown has already ended and you failed to defeat me within the stipulated time.

Mario: I may have failed to do that, but I proved that a 'dumb' hunter like me could outsmart you. How about that, two handed demon? Check mate.

Mundo's rage instantly climbs to a new height.

Mundo: You dare mock me? Me?!

Mundo holds Mario's hair, intending to rip his head from his body. He is suddenly sent flying by a kick out of thin air. Jolie then appears out of nowhere. Her uniform is untainted and she's still wearing her mask, suggesting that she hasn't been in a battle prior to now.

Jolie: Did someone call the calvary? Sorry I'm late.

Mario: Heroes are always late.

Mario lets out a smile of relief, before collapsing to the ground. Mundo helps himself to his feet as he wipes his mouth with his right hand, leaving blood stains. He's way beyond his striking range.

Mundo: How did you find your way here? Even if you tested each route randomly, the chances of ever reaching this point is slim, because you'd have to make multiple right choices in quick succession.

Jolie: Come on, Mario. Don't pass out now. At least tell him first.

Mario lifts his head inches above the ground.

Mario: With pleasure. First of all, my little sprint wasn't a random action. By running in the direction the pine trees pointed at, I was able to verify to a reasonable extent that you were telling the truth. Also, I saw footprints. Footprints of a hunter's boot. Not just any hunter. Most likely a female hunter's boot. And that's when I knew she was close by. I also discovered that the reason we were always walking in circles was because we were seeing what you wanted us to see. Simply put, all of this is an optical illusion. One so strong that even you could fall prey to it...and that's why you used the pine trees as a compass for mobility. Now that I was sure she was close by, all I needed was a way to help her pinpoint my location. This would be easy with the D-pad, but what you did to our electronics is another matter. Sound was the only solution. And so, I gave a war cry so loud, even the dead would hear it. With a bit of luck, she heard me and here we are. Pretty impressive for someone who just found out that demons have special abilities beside their inhuman speed, regeneration and strength, to be fair. Moral lesson: Don't leave out footprints when you try to fool hunters.