[3 days earlier]
Tokyo, japan
Inside an apartment; Morax is sleeping on the white sheets of his bed with the sunlight flashing through the white curtains.
The door opens and Vera walks in and sits ontop of Morax's stomach making him groan and wake up.
Vera: Wakey wakey, it's time to go to work.
Morax: [Yawns and mumbles random words before closing his eyes.]
Vera: [sighs then pinches your nose, blocking your airways.] Don't go back to sleep. Wake up. [She grumbles.]
Morax: [He opens his mouth in his sleep to breathe.]
Vera: [She tilts his chin up for his face to look at her frowning at him.] Hey, open you damn eyes, smartass.
Morax sighs before opening red tired eyes that look up at Vera straddling on him. She gives him a gentle slap on his cheek before getting off him and the bed.
Vera: We needed by the higher ups. [Arches all her limps in one stretch.]
Morax: Urgh. We always "needed" by those assholes. What is it they want us for this time?
Vera: Normally, they'd say over the phone but... This time, they want ALL the hunters.
Morax: [He sits up on the bed looking at her, interested on why they would contact every hunter in Japan to come and meet.] Do you... Do you think they... found Mephisto?
Vera: Maybe. The only way to know for sure is by getting outta that bed and getting ready to go.
Morax: [He grunts before moving from laying to sitting on the side of the bed. He watches her leave his room before looking down his palms, thinking about something in silence before clenching his palms into fists.]
[Demon hunters headquarters]
A whole group of 30 demon hunters have been gathered a meeting hall, all dressed in formal clothing, such as ties and suits, as according to the dress code that they all follow. They all stand in rows of attention with their sights at the 8 individuals (The higher ups) in white standing on a high platform for everyone to see them, all in silence until a tall woman with blackish-purple colored hair tied back into a ponytail and brown eyes walks up to speak.
@Sakura is her name.
Vera: [Standing amongst the hunters with Morax, she leans over and whispers to him with a hint of irritation in her voice.] Act normal, okay? No smartass comments or sarcastic remarks.
Morax looks at her annoyed, wanting to say something bit remains quiet and listens to what Sakura has to say.
Sakura: Listen up, everyone. You are all gathered here today to be selected into a team of 15 that will be sent on a mission of the utmost importance. As you know, the organisation known as the ZX went off world... or should I say off universe last year. And ever since their return, our line of work as gotten very difficult with more cases of disappearances and sightings of not only "demonic creatures" but of every and any being, AROUND the world. Currently with the most cases is located in the city of United States of America called chicago because of an artefact that's the cause of the disappearances and the sightings. We; the higher ups, are picking out 15 of you that will be sent to investigate and retrieve the artefact because your skills and experience against the demons have been deemed essential to handling this situation with the organisation called the APEX.
Morax: [In the middle of her speech, Morax leans to his side and whispers to a guy with curly ginger hair.] As if fighting thousands of demons wasn't bad enough, now we gotta work with a bunch of mindless nutjobs...?
Demon Hunter: [He chuckles softly and whispers back to Morax] I know, right? They think they're all tough and smart, but they're just a bunch of reckless jocks in tactical gear.
Morax: [whispers] Yeah, I'm Morax.
Demon Hunter: Cole... I know who you are... AND what you are.
Morax: Oh... Guessing you gonna be LIKE THAT with me, huh?
Cole: Yep.
Morax: Alright... Kinda a bit racist.
Vera: Ptts... [She whispers to Morax.] Shut the fuck up.
Morax clears his throat and they'd go back to listening to Sakura.
Sakura: So, does anyone have any questions they would want to ask before we pick out the hunters?
Morax: I got one.
Sakura turns her focus to him, her expression expectant.
Sakura: Ask away, Morax.
Morax: [He speaks aloud while looking at everyone around him.] We are all demon hunters here... not hunters of other beings and we all heard you, you said sightings of demons and others beings and last I checked, we only hunt down Demons, not some goddamn leprechaun and genies.
Sakura: Demons count as other worldly beings, Morax. What's happening around the world is caused by a demonic artifact that's bringing these beings, here. That said, We have to be prepared for any potential threats, whether they're demonic or from other realities, retrieving the artefact can help save the world.
Morax: Oh, Prepared?! You are sending FIFTEEN people to their deaths! [He looks at everyone.] I'm a demon hybrid... and I'm highly aware that I'm going to be one of the hunters going to that city. I'm not scared or anything, just reckless... but I'm not on THIS level of recklessness. [he looks at Sakura.] C'mon, Even I know... [Points at the higher ups] YOU SENDING US TO DIE!
Sakura: I understand your concern, Morax, but this is a risk we must take. The unprecedented disappearances and reality-shifting phenomena all lead back to the city; Chicago, and we can't afford to underestimate the threat. Sending a team of 15 increases our chances of success and minimizes the risk of loss.
Morax: Oh, I heavily agree! What I'm complaining about is "WHY SEND FIFTEEN PEOPLE instead of 20 or more people?"
Sakura sighs slightly, realizing that Morax is pushing the issue further. She responds tersely.
Sakura: I've considered all options and this is the team size I believe is best equipped to handle the situation. I'm not in the habit of sending my people on suicide missions. We'll have support from A.P.E.X and other local resources in Chicago.
Morax: The A.P.E.X?! What do they know about saving the world? Last I checked, they are Mercenaries playing Super heroes!
Morax: [He looks at everyone person in the room.] And not to mention... You said that you higher ups will be picking out the hunters best suited but how can we, when no one in this room has ever experienced a situation such as this one. And what's there to pick out, tho? There is not just ONE person in this room besides myself and other hybrids that isn't any different than the other!
The air in the room is tense as Morax challenges Sakura's decision. The hunters exchange nervous glances, aware of the growing tension. Sakura remains calm, her expression unwavering but annoyance clear in her eyes.
Sakura: [Her tone is firm but slightly irritated.] This mission has already been planned and the team selection will be carefully made. I have faith in each and every one of you. This will be a difficult task, yes, but your skills, experience, and cooperation will be crucial to our success.
Morax: Hm... [He laughs out loud.] Ooo wee.... "crucial to our success..." Yeah we'll see about that.
Sakura clenches her jaw, clearly frustrated with Morax's attitude, but she remains composed.
Makima: [her tone is sharp] You'd do well to have a bit more faith in your team members. Now, I suggest you trust our judgment and focus on the task at hand.
Morax: Hm. Last time I had faith, I got betrayed for not being human. NEVER... AGAIN.
Sakura's expression softens slightly and she lets out a small sigh. She knew Morax harbored a deep distrust for others, likely due to the betrayal he mentioned.
Sakura: I understand your perspective, Morax. But trust is necessary in this line of work. We're counting on each other to survive and complete this mission.
Morax: No, you don't understand. Right now, as we speak, every single one of these hunters just look at me and others like me with hatred in their eyes, even when we've proven to you all that we are on your side... Now, they can all trust me or not, that's their decisions. Mine will be not trusting any of them... expect for Vera of course.
Vera glances at Morax, appreciating his trust in her. She can see the intensity in his eyes as he makes his declaration.
Sakura: [Sakura's gaze flicks between the two of them for a moment before speaking.] Understood. Just remember we're all in this together. Now, let's focus on the task ahead... the selections.