Mario yanks out the sword lodged in his back, its blade smeared with his own blood, staring at Lukas as drops of his blood fall to the ground at a slow but steady rate.
Lukas: You look different. What happened to your arm? Talk to me.
Mario stares at Lukas.
Mario: You're not holding your sword properly.
Lukas: Well, it's not exactly my fault. You're the "sword guy" after all. If you won't tell me about your hand, then take your sword. Let's fight, Rio.
Lukas smiles. He looks delighted by the idea of fighting Mario.
Mario: Your stance is wrong. You didn't thrust your sword deep enough to hit any vitals.
Lukas: Stop being boring, Rio. Loosen up a bit.
Mario: Your hand isn't suited for weapons. Drop the sword.
Lukas: I hate to say it, but I think you're right.
Lukas drops his sword and smiles warmly.
Mario: Lu, I...
Lukas: Huh? You know I got shot thirteen times at Skull's End. Dad couldn't protect me.
Mario: Lu...
Mario looks down, feeling sad.
Lukas: Do you remember when those bullies picked on me at school? I was smiling, and they thought I was mocking them. You beat them up for me, and you promised... You promised to be my shield, Rio. Why... why weren't you there? They shot me. It hurt so much. I needed you, Rio. You didn't fulfill your promise. Tell me why... Why do people make promises they can't keep? Tell me, Rio.
Mario begins to breathe fast. He places his hand on his chest, dropping his sword to the floor.
Lukas: I was always frail, and you were so strong and cool. The fact that someone as cool as you would always save me from the bullies made me happy, but it's alright. What's happened has happened.
Lukas smiles again.
Lukas: Now, all I want is a duel.
Lukas picks up his sword.
Mario: Lu, no. You can't win.
Lukas: To the death, Rio.
Mario: You're still not holding it right.
Lukas: I call it "Rio." Named it after you. So... fight me now.
Lukas swings his sword and trips. He looks at Mario and smiles as he stands up, trying to get dust off his clothes.
Mario: Lu, I can't fight you.
Lukas: You're mocking me, Rio. All my life, I kept wishing for one thing...
Mario: You're not to blame for being frail.
Lukas: I always wished that you would die.
Mario's eyes open wide.
Mario: Stop joking around, Lu. You couldn't stay a day without talking to me.
Lukas: Of course, you were my servant after all...
Mario slashes Lukas' face, giving him a small cut mark and leaving him to wonder when he picked his sword up. Mario becomes angry. He glares at Lukas.
Mario: You want to fight? Take a stance.
Lukas smiles.
Lukas: Seems like you've gotten serious.
Lukas cleans his wound with his shirt and takes a stance. He swings at Mario but misses.
Lukas: Are you sure you don't want to tie your wound first? They say, "Drops of water make an ocean." If you keep losing blood every minute, you'll collapse.
Mario: I wanted to tie my shirt around it, but you see, I need a hand. Give me a hand, brother!
Mario decapitates Lukas by cutting his left arm. Lukas screams in agony.
Mario: We really look alike now.
Lukas: Cut me all you want. Even if you pass this test, you'll never be a hunter.
Mario: Why would you say that?
Lukas: No matter how hard you try, you will never be able to use Kado. Toro must have found out already. How does that make you feel?
Mario: I don't care about that Kado stuff right now. It doesn't change what I have to do. All I have to do is hit hard at life.
Lukas: You're not going to kill me, are you?
Mario: Even if this is an illusion, I could never take Lu's life.
Lukas: This doesn't change anything, though. What's happened has happened. You're just a coward in the end.
Mario: I'll let you in on a secret. I want to be strong so that I can have peace, but not even Toro knows why I want to be a demon hunter. I'll tell you. I've always loved dark fantasies, be it a novel or a movie. My life ever since you and father died has been a dark fantasy story to me. The only thing my story is lacking is a horrible death. Don't you see? I want to die in the most horrible way ever. Do you understand now?
Mario smiles wildly.
Mario: Isn't it obvious? I've lost it.
Lukas begins to shiver in fear.
Lukas: A person who doesn't even fear death? You must be out of your mind. But even that doesn't change what happened.
Mario jerks at the sound of multiple gunshots. Lukas becomes covered with bullet wounds as he collapses to the ground before fading out subsequently. Mario becomes saddened.
Mario: No need to feel bad. That wasn't Lu... that wasn't Lu... Until I meet the real you in the afterlife, Lu.
Mario begins to walk away, munching on his food as he struggles to simultaneously hold his sword. He appears to be very happy, though. Apparently, whenever he remembers his new purpose for living, he becomes extremely happy. Marino's mood has suddenly lightened up.
Mario: This is actually starting to be worth my time. Now then, who's next? I hope I see my birth mum this time.
For the first time in a while, Mario smiles genuinely. Although his reason for smiling may seem out of place, to Mario, he is living his dream life, and he isn't ready to give it up for anything. Anything except a terrifying, horrible, and painful death. The reason for his desire for such a death isn't totally understood. Could it be as a result of the events that led to him losing his right hand? Could it be as a result of Kelly and Ella's death? Or could it just be the effect of losing everything he had in a flash? Either way, something had changed within him, and whatever it was, it made him feel happy!