DEMON HUNT

Chapter 51: Behold the great fall I

The cool winter breeze blows fairly strongly, creating a cold atmosphere in the fortress that no one seems to care about- no one except Mark, as shown by his constant shivering. Mari is caught in a daze. He just stands there, frozen as Omero draws him in for a hug.

Omero: You'd have known it was me from the beginning if you didn't get hit with Krager's technique. I promise this will all make sense. Trust me, I have tried everything. Every single thing. There's only one way to true peace, and that's Ocean eyes...us...Mari, it's you. The hailstorm is coming, the rain of brimstone is coming. It's time to enter into the sanctuary.

Omero releases his hold, enabling Mari to stand upright, in front of him.

Omero: Unlike the others, you've always wanted a way to peace that didn't involve the annihilation of one group. There's a way.

Omero begins to act desperate as he continues. He seems terrified about something.

Omero: Can't you see? Haven't you seen anything in those visions of yours? You have to come with us. The hailstorm is coming!

Mari begins to breathe intensively. Even in the cold, he'd began to sweat profusely. He places his right hand on his chest, squeezing tightly as he mutters to Omero's hearing.

Mari: Captain, I'm tired.

Omero stares at Mari, surprised. It's far from the reply he was expecting. Mari falls on his knees as he goes on.

Mari: I'm tired.

Elora smiles sadistically as she shakes her head.

Elora: Awwwn, poor kid.

Dlamini, who has obviously become annoyed by the scene, makes his way towards Mari, yelling angrily.

Dlamin: Bullshit! The nerve you have, trying to pull this...

Omero gives a stern look to Dlamini, instantly putting an end to both his advance and his yelling. Omero turns his attention to Mari, offering him a hand, with a warm smile in his face.

Omero: Come rest then.

Meanwhile, back at Seider, team Akuto keivara become caught in a precarious situation. Demons begin to pop up, virtually out of nowhere, pushing the squad backwards, towards their vessels. As they etch closer, they see the veil end just before the boats. Demons continue to pour out in their hundreds, bearing down on them. A heated battle suddenly ensues.

Out of fright, some hunters decide to attempt going through the barrier. On contact, they instantly explode, their insides scattered on their nearby teammates, terrifying them. The whole place becomes thrown into panic. The hunters closer to the boats begin to push forward, to avoid receiving the same fate, ultimately pushing the team closer to the vicious multitude of demons.

Mario doesn't attempt to retreat. He teams up with Gradel, who tells him the directions to swing at. Gradel smiles as he expresses his gratitude, amidst the commotion of a battle.

Gradel: Tis good that I'm beside you. You strike pretty well. Incoming from the left!

Mario turns sharply, cutting the demons into bits. Amidst the ear deafening noise formed from war cries, screams of terror, thuds, squelches, barking of orders, and so on, Mario suddenly finds a second of calm. He hears a loud scream, bringing him to a halt. Gradel becomes flustered by Mario's stoppage.

Gradel: Oy, kid. Are you okay? Why stop? What is zha problem?

Mario slowly turns towards the directions of the boats as he mutters to himself.

Mario: Mari?

He instantly takes off without a second thought, running towards the very direction other hunters are scampering from. The gameplan of the demons might be to overwhelm with numbers, taking away the room needed for the hunters to perform safe techniques, pushing them towards the veil that would ultimately end them. Gradel screams at Mario.