DEMON HUNT

Chapter 40: Shifting goals

Calantis, near Mari's residence.
Five months and two weeks after Lisandro's passing...five months and two weeks!

It's mid day, the temperature is just about right for a little outdoor activity. Mario stands close to Mari, facing him. They are both casually dressed. Mario takes three slow, but calculated steps away from Mari, as the duo prepare to spar. Mari begins to stretch his body, warming up for the clash. He seems to take Mario seriously now.

Mari: You ready, O?

Mario stretches his arm to the side, as if expecting to receive something.

Mario: Didn't they tell you? I'm almost always ready these days.

Mari: Very well then.

Mari exhales calmly.

Mari: Lightning cladding.

Mari instantly becomes clad in lightning.

Mari: I'll raise the difficulty level as the fight progresses. Let's see how much you can handle.

Mario: Enough talking. I'm dying to go.

Mari: All right, then. Let's go.

Mario jumps backwards, increasing the gap between them, at least, doubling it. Mari moves admirably fast, closing the distance in a jiffy. Mario summons dark nemesis to defend himself. The blade appears in his hand in an instant, and he swings it towards Mari, forcing him to have to dodge. Mario restores the distance between them again. Mari is excited.

Mari: Ha! Were that to be a normal sword, I wouldn't have to flinch, and you'd be on the floor, searching for the wind I'd have knocked out of you. You're not foolish enough to rush in and attack first anymore. Shows you're making progress. Still won't make you beat me though.

Moments later, both teenagers are on the floor, not too far from each other, looking devastated. Mario's clothing is torn, while Mari's looks smoked. They both groan relatively silently, apparently unable to move. Mario struggles but eventually speaks.

Mario: Want to say something, Mari?

Mari groans as he speaks up.

Mari: Just to clarify something to our audience, you're in that shape because I beat you. I'm in this shape because I decided to check if I could get hurt by my own lightning. Turns out, it was a stupid idea. Horrible, utterly horrible.

Mario: Obviously, dimwit. So, lightning can't hurt you. Yours or any kind, but you didn't give too much thought into what would happen to your clothing?

Mari: Just a minor oversight leading to a minor catastrophe. Next time, I'll remember to have my lightning cladding on before I try.

Mario: Minor catastrophe? I mean...look at this place. Look at our audience. Look what you did to Brody!

Mario points his finger at a log of wood shredded into multiple pieces.

Mario: He was just a child!

Mari: In my defense, I did tell him to step aside.

Mario shakes his head slowly.

Mario: I want to facepalm so badly, but my palm feels so far away from my head.

Mari begins to laugh uncontrollably, laughing louder with each passing second. This causes Mario to inadvertently begin to laugh in the same manner. They both suddenly stop laughing as their eyes make contact. They go silent. Just eye contact. Mari's mouth moves slowly to let out a warm smile. It's been a couple of eventful months since the duo first met. From Mario's hot meals to Mari's mum teases, both youngsters have come to feel comfortable with each other. It's as though a bond has been built. A feeling of brotherhood.