DEMON HUNT

Chapter 39: Onward

Mario wakes up early, before sunrise the next day, brushes his teeth, takes a shower, and steps out. Mari is still fast asleep. In addition to having a monstrous appetite, it's also become characteristic of Mari to sleep in. Mario walks for a bit before seeing Toro, who is dressed as usual. Toro speaks first.

Toro: Hey. Congratulations on your promotion.

Mario stares at him for a while before replying.

Mario: That's how it is? I don't get to see you unless I rank up?

Toro sighs.

Toro: it's not like that really. Believe it or not, I've been busy. Besides, I make out time to check on you, but don't exactly make my presence known.

Mario: Yeah, yeah. I hear you. Why'd you ask to meet?

Toro: I have a request. I need a favour...

Mario looks at him, surprised. A request from Toro...Toro doesn't seem the type to ask favours. What does he need help with? What is it that he wants Mario to do that he can't do on his own? Mario's mind begins to travel places as Toro leaves him in suspense. Toro takes a deep breath and finally decides to finish.

Toro: It's about Mari. You've probably noticed, but he hasn't looked himself for some time now. At first, I thought it was just the demand of the time of year, the anniversary of Carmen's death and all, but it doesn't feel that way anymore. I think something's eating him up. Something he probably feels he can't tell me...

Toro sighs before continuing his statement.

Toro: In a nutshell, what I'm asking you to do is...

Mario cuts in.

Mario: Babysit him.

Toro stares at him in disbelief.

Toro: What? No! I mean, technically, that's about it...but...you don't have to put it that way. I want you to help me look after him. If you find out what might be bothering him, you can tell me, so we can figure out a way around it...together. (Thought) I asked Mari to watch over you some time back, and now I'm asking you to do the same.

Mario places his hand on his chin as if to show he is pondering about something. This catches Toro's attention. Mario suddenly speaks in a serious tone.

Mario: I think I might know what's bothering him.

Toro swiftly replies enthusiastically.

Toro: Really? What is it?

Mario stares Toro straight in the face with his face scarily straight, his eyes opened wide like he'd realized something gravely important.

Mario: I think Mari got someone pregnant.

Toro bursts into sudden laughter, tittering uncontrollably whilst trying to speak.

Toro: Pregnant? Mari? Someone? All in one sentence? Impossib...

Toro's sentence comes to a halt the moment he notices Mario's facial expression still hasn't changed. He suddenly gives a swift reply, looking rather flustered.

Toro: Wait, for real?

He moves closer to Mario, whispering.

Toro: Is it...is it Sung?

Mario tilts his head backwards, away from Toro, staring at him judgingly.

Mario: Dude! I troll them, but it's nowhere near that point.

Toro: Who is it then?

Mari facepalms in disbelief. He finds a way to place his hand on Toro's shoulder.

Mario: No one's pregnant. I was just messing with you.

Toro exhales sharply. He breathes a sigh of relief. Mario stares at him suspiciously.

Mario: Do you have some kind of phobia? Afraid of seeing Mari fall in love and stuff like that?

Toro uses his gloved hands to brush Mario's off his shoulder.

Toro: I fear nothing.

Mario: Yeah, yeah, yeah. What else would you say?

Toro decides to change the topic.

Toro: So, you did manage to use Kado after all. You didn't look the most likely, but you've fought your way to achieving such a feat, if I can call it that. I'd like to experience your ability firsthand.

Toro hears a sound in the bushes close by, causing him to turn. He turns around to address Mario, but is surprised to feel the sharp edge of dark nemesis' blade on his neck. It's surprising because Mario didn't appear to have brought the weapon.

Mario: I can do this now. Force you to submit, just like so.

Toro: Sweet. Only except...

Toro moves his neck away, pushes the blade with his covered arm, creating some distance between them. Struggling to keep up with the pace, Mario is left open. Toro places his gloved index finger on Mario's forehead. Mario stops moving and just stares at him.

Toro: Only except, you'd be dead now, and that'd be mercy because I could have done it without touching you.

Mario chuckles. He suddenly begins to laugh, excited. He smiles warmly.

Mario: I'll get there, I'll get there. Soon, I'll get there soon.

Toro withdraws his finger, giving a slow nod. He turns to leave, but stops at Mario's call. He turns towards Mario, deeply curious. Mario looks away from Toro as he speaks, avoiding eye contact.

Mario: There's something I need to tell you. It's very important.

Toro listens as Mario speaks to him in a low tone. He listens quietly before moving to ask a question.

Toro: Does Mari know?

Mario: I intend to tell him myself. But not today. You're right, he hasn't been himself lately. I don't want to bother him with this just yet. What would likely happen?

Toro: I'm no expert on the topic, but I suspect it'd lead to a series of debates and brain racking discussions, none of which I'd be interested in.

Mario: I can understand why. What do you think though? What's your advice to me? Your opinion.

Toro: Well, I know you don't want to hear this but...it's really all I have to say. Just follow your heart, kiddo.

Mario sighs.

Toro: As much as I hate to say this, I have to get going. There's somewhere I need to be. Don't forget what we discussed, and don't worry about that other thing. Just be sure of what you want to do. I'll try to visit you both as soon as I can.

Mario raises his hand in the air, dark nemesis is no longer visibly present. A small whooshing sound accompanies Toro's sudden disappearance. Mario just waves slowly. He decides to find his way home. The sun will hit the sky soon, but he's not expecting Mari to be awake for another hour or two, at the barest minimum. A reasonable amount of things have changed since the last time Mario spoke with Toro one on one. He can now use Kado. He's now a class one hunter. He's killed a demon. He's saved someone, just like Toro did him, months ago. Things have also changed on Toro's side, too. He's part of a covert high risk, high stakes operation to finally snuff out the threat posed by the demons. He now has to torture information out of demons, whilst being careful to prevent ocean eyes from catching wind of their objectives. One thing, however, is clear, constant and unchanging. There's only one way to go, and that's onward!