RIGHT HAND

Omero: ...I'm sorry, Mari. This is my decision...

Mario's mind begins to wonder nervously.

Mario: This doesn't seem fair. Is this really how it ends? Say something, Toro. Tell them this isn't proper.

Omero: I propose a recoil judgment.

A brief silence follows as Sinister, Malcolm, Nicole, Mario, and Mari all turn to Omero in surprise.

Sinister: A recoil judgment? What are you even suggesting? We haven't done that in forever.

Omero: The kid is one of our finest. We can't just send him away. He's a CIT. Doing so would be bad for morale and structure. The other hunters are very fond of him. Like Nicole suggested, we'll let this slide. After all, some of us became captains by doing reckless stuff like this.

Everyone shifts their attention to Toro, who seems unfocused, his expression blank. Sinister sighs and looks back at Omero.

Sinister: Are you trying to make a joke?

Omero: Let me finish. It's a recoil judgment, remember? If the intel he brought proves true and useful, then we'll let this slide. However, if it doesn't, then your punishment will be enforced. Agreeing to this also means accepting an increase in the gravity of the punishment.

Omero turns to Mari, his gaze firm.

Omero: If this intel proves false and harmful to our cause, then you're going to be punished alongside your roommate over there. Do you agree to these terms?

Mari: It's all I could ever ask for, sir.

Malcolm: All that's left is for a majority of the council to approve the terms of the recoil judgment. In these circumstances, only one of the two captains involved needs to agree.

Nicole: I think it's a great decision.

Malcolm: It is—

Omero (cutting in): I'm not doing this without you, Sinister.

Sinister frowns but doesn't immediately object. After a pause, he sighs.

Sinister: I hate how you reason sometimes. But then again, it's that kind of reasoning that's brought you this far. You better know what you're doing. I'll hold you responsible if this goes south.

Omero: Do you have anything to add, Toro?

Toro remains silent, his expression unreadable.

Omero: You're not off the hook, but you get to keep your uniform for another day, at least.

His tone shifts, becoming harsher.

Omero: However, if you embark on such a venture ever again, I'll cut off your limbs.

A tense silence follows before Malcolm speaks up.

Malcolm: I take it the trial is over. The two of you may leave.

Without another word, Mario and Mari turn and exit the room.

As soon as the door closes behind them, Nicole crosses her arms, still uneasy.

Nicole: Are we really going to attempt negotiations with demons?

Omero: We just agr—

Toro finally speaks, cutting Omero off mid-sentence.

Toro: We'll think about it, and that's all. Isn't that right, Omero?

Omero hesitates before nodding.

Omero: Yes... of course.

Toro: I'll keep a closer eye on them. Mari tends to go a bit extreme sometimes. For now, we focus on crushing Ocean Eyes.

Sinister: That's more like it.

Nicole: Uhm... okay.

Malcolm: We can't have the other hunters hesitating and struggling with fantasies like this.

Toro replies firmly.

Toro: I said, I'll handle it.

Before the conversation can continue, Malcolm's D Pad beeps. He checks the screen and stiffens.

Malcolm: It's Father.

Sinister: Took him long enough.

As time ticks by, Mario and Mari come into view again. The walk home is quiet. Mario expects Mari to say something—anything—but his roommate remains completely silent.

By the time they step inside, Mario has had enough.

Mario: Okay, this is getting really annoying. Do you have a problem with me?

Mari doesn't respond, to Mario's frustration.

Mario: I was rude to the captain a few times, and I'm sorry. But you're still here, aren't you? You didn't tell me any of the stuff you said to the council. You haven't spoken much to me since we left Iceberg, and when you did, it was just to shut me up.

Mario exhales sharply, his voice dropping slightly.

Mario: I screwed up, and I'm sorry. But I don't think I did enough to make you treat me like this. If you have a problem with me, then speak up.

For the first time since their return, Mari's expression shifts from detached to irritated. His eyes darken, and when he finally speaks, his voice is sharp and laced with frustration.

Mari: You wanna know if I have a problem with you? You really wanna know? Well, of course I do! I'm tired of your attitude. Talking to a captain like you're equals, trying to be the tough guy, acting like you've lived four hundred years and know it all.

Do you know what I hate most? It's how weak you are. We're up against beings who regenerate and move faster than bullets, and what do you have going for you? A sword that can "obliterate anything." Now that I think about it, that's probably just a myth.

You're not the first person to join us without being able to use Kado. Some have reached great heights without it. But to top it off, you have one arm. One arm! I watch you train every night before going to bed. How can someone work so hard and still be so weak?

You wanna make me happy? Then take up that sword and do something exceptional with it. Go on, I'm watching.Ksripario grips his blade, staring at it.

Mari: Come on. Make it spark, glow, disappear—anything at all! Do it! Focus. Just do whatever you know how to do and make that blade do something exceptional.

Mario holds the blade and concentrates, but nothing happens.

Mari: I thought so. Maybe your father should never have left you. That way, you'd be useful as Lukas' slave. If you'll excuse me, I've had a long day, and I'd like to get some rest.

(Mari walks away while Mario just stands there, staring at Dark Nemesis.

Hours later, Mari gets out of bed and takes a glass of milk, holding his head, which aches slightly. After a while, he recalls something.

Mari: Nothing like milk. You should drink more milk, O. O? O!

Mari runs around the house, looking for Mario, but with no luck. He ends his search in the living room, visibly saddened.

Mari: I said too much, didn't I... Mum?

Suddenly, Mario's voice comes from behind him.

Mario: Tell me what happened to your mom.

Mari turns in surprise and asks in a low tone.

Mari: You didn't leave?

(Mario walks around before finally settling on the couch. Mari joins him.)

Mario: Of course I didn't, you idiot.

Mari: Those things I said to you... they were

Mario: They were right.

Mari: O...

Mario: When you said all that, I wanted to leave. I wanted to leave so badly.

Mari: Why didn't you?

Mario: I've been leaving places for the past few weeks. Where has that brought me?

I know I'm physically handicapped. I just act like I'm not—to help me forget that night. I sleep late and wake up early. I train every morning.

I want to be strong, Mari.

Mari: You are strong. I was just being shortsighted.

Mario: Not strong enough.

Peace in Malvay? I don't believe in that. The only reason I became a hunter is to be strong. If I become strong, then... then I'll finally have inner peace. I'll finally find peace.

Then, I'll die the most tragic death possible, and everyone will remember me.

Tell me that's not weird?

If the day we die is preordained, then living means slowly dying, right? Every breath we take brings us closer to our last. Every step we take moves us closer to our grave.

Mari: Doesn't sound as weird and stupid as hoping for a peace treaty between hunters and 'demons.'

Mario: Yup, that is stupid.

They both chuckle, but then return to their low tones.

Mario: I never thought I'd say this, but... I miss my right hand.

Mari: You don't have to. You have one right here.

Mario: Where? Do you mean the D Pad?

Mari: Me!

Mario: Oh. It wasn't so obvious.

Mari: Sometimes, you're really smart. Other times, you're really dumb.

Mario: I'm not sure you're qualified to replace my right hand, but I'll just have to cope with you.

Mari explodes.

Mari: How dare you—

He takes a deep breath and calms down.

Mari: Since we're having this moment, I won't let your measly insults ruin it, demi.

Mario: Huh?! Demi? That sounds really weird! What does it even mean? I want to go back to being called "O."

Mari: It's an ancient royal house custom. It means a close buddy. Sadly, I was the only one my age who didn't have one.

The conversation lightens up, and Mario teases Mari.

Mario: Why was that? Bad social skills? Random bossy attitude? I bet it was because of your lollipop addiction!

Mari's expression saddens as he recalls something.

Mari: They all wanted me... They wanted me to... dye my hair black.

They all... everyone wanted me to dye my hair black.

They said it'd make me look "normal."

Mario looks at Mari.

Mario: And that's why you ran away... No, that's one of the reasons you ran away.

Overall, you just couldn't take it anymore.

Mario smiles, surprising Mari.

Mario: Let's both watch each other fulfill our weird goals... Isn't that right, Demi?

Mari's face displays his surprise, then brightens up. He collects himself and smiles.

Mari: That means I'll have to attend your funeral someday. I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world, Demi.

Mario: Eeck! I'm gonna throw up. That 'Demi' stuff ends today.

Mari: Let's fist bump on it.

They fist bump.

Mari: Now that we're good again, I'm super hungry, and I don't want to order food.

Mario: More like you can't. What did you use your feeding allowance for?

Mari: Uhm...

Mario: I saw a dozen boxes of lollipops in your room. You didn't...

Mari: Maybe I did, but that's not the point. Cook me a meal before I die.

Mario explodes.

Mario: I'm not your personal royal chef, don't you—

Mario suddenly calms down.

Mario: But since we're having this moment, I'll do it.

They both smile as their D Pads beep. They check their devices.

Both: Northeast, huh...