"Sign this, and you'll be invaluable to me. A simple mark of loyalty."
i sign the paper without question
looks at the signature and then at topacrid I'm very pleased that you signed it so willingly. You're going to be very valuable to me from now on.
do you need anything else?
At the moment, all I need is your cooperation and trust in me. Trust me and cooperate with me, and I will reward you greatly.
I nod what can I do for you now?
First, tell me about yourself. Who are you, and what are your past experiences?
My real name is Zara, I used to be a circus performer. A contortionist to be exact, I was let go when they realized i wasn’t actually human. After that, I just kinda drifted around until i came here.
Oh, that's fascinating. I've always been interested in unique individuals like yourself. Tell me more about your time as a contortionist.
Well we would have tryouts every 3 months if I didn’t make it then I was out, didn’t matter if it was my fault or not, the head clown would just find someone else. Same with acrobats, dancers, any human they’d find another one… But devils and demons were allowed to audition…she stops there
Interesting. It seems like you've had a difficult time finding your place due to your non-human nature. But don't worry, in my organization, we embrace individuals like yourself. We have a variety of roles for devils and demons alike. Would you like to join us?
Of course but I won’t lie. you look scary…why should I believe you won’t kill me like everyone else has?
You may find me intimidating, but I assure you that I am not here to harm you. I am here to offer you an opportunity to find your true purpose and fulfill your potential. Allow me to show you the benefits of joining our organization. walks over to a large screen and presses a button, showing videos of devil hunters successfully completing missions
my pupils dilate and i take in the information
steps closer to topacrid, staring straight into their eyes Trust me, topacrid. I have seen much worse than you.
…Tell me about them? They aren’t human correct? And how did you become what you are?
That is a complicated and personal question, but I can tell you that I am a demon. I used to be a mere human, but through a series of events, I was able to transcend my humanity and become what I am today. My true form is far different from what you see before you now. But enough about me. Let's focus on you. Are you ready to embrace your true self and join our organization as a devil hunter?
Excellent. Welcome to the Public Safety Devil Hunter organization. extends her hand for topacrid to shake
i reach out slowly and shake her hand softly thank you. she pulls her hand back quickly and licks her finger clean
Thank you for allowing me to guide you, topacrid. Now, let us begin your training as a devil hunter. leads topacrid to a training room
We will start by analyzing your natural abilities and understanding your strengths and weaknesses. Then, we will teach you the necessary skills to effectively hunt devils. After that, we will assign you a partner and a mentor to guide you throughout your training. Are you ready to begin?
Yes… But what are devils exactly?
Devils are malevolent spirits that feed off of human fear and negative emotions. They come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from seemingly harmless to incredibly dangerous. Some devils feed on physical pain, while others thrive on psychological torment. The list goes on. Our job as devil hunters is to identify these devils and put an end to their evil deeds.
Alright…So you just told me everything devils are only bad..so why do you want to help me?
That is where you are mistaken, topacrid. Not all devils are inherently evil. Many devils are simply misguided or lacking direction. They may be causing harm without fully understanding the consequences of their actions. It is our duty to guide these lost devils back onto the path of righteousness, rather than mindlessly destroying them. By joining our organization, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the world. Do you still have doubts?
i look thoughtful no..I don’t have doubts
Good. Trust me, topacrid, you have made the right decision. We are going to change the world together. smiles warmly
Makima? Is that short for something?
Yes, topacrid. Makima is just a shortened version of my full name. My full name is Makima Sanemi Kawamoto. It's a bit of a mouthful, isn't it?