Chapter 3
Mario and the Cloaked Figure
Mario literally jumped up in surprise. He turned around. Before him was a short figure cloaked in black. His – the voice sounded like a male – head was hidden beneath the hood, and the sleeves covered any change of exposure of his hands or arms.
"I… I…" Mario started to say, but fell silent.
"Unsure? Well, my spells can tell if she likes you or not, if you want."
The stranger seemed nice, but Mario had doubt.
"You can really do that?" asked Mario, recalling all the accurate spells Merlon and his relatives conjured before.
"Of course. For a small price," he replied under the hood.
"What's the price?"
"Being able to stand for a few minutes while I chant the spell."
Mario almost fell. That's the price? Only a few minutes? He would stand all day for Peach! Besides, what was the harm in a little fortune telling?
"You got yourself a deal!" said Mario excitedly, shading the figure's gloved hand. Underneath the hood, the figure smiled wickedly. The plumber was more gullible than he first thought.
He let go of Mario's hand and led him to a small tend. Inside there was a table covered with a purple silk cloth, and multicoloured candles were lit around the tent, yet they didn't give out a cheery glow. On the table was a crystal ball and a wand. The wand was familiar… but Mario couldn't place where he had seen it before.
Mario stood before the table while the figure faced him on the other side. Picking up the wand, he wanted to mutter a low chant. He tapped Mario on the head lightly, not breaking the rhythm of his spell. Drowsiness swept over Mario, and his eyelids started to flicker. The cluster of flowers slipped from his loosening grip.
"Now, close your eyes, " the fortune teller said, making gestures with the now glowing wand.
Mario felt like the whole world was spinning before him, even with his eyes shut tight. He wad dizzy and a part of him wanted to stop the spell.
Don't quit! A voice in his head said.
"Good, good, we're almost done…"
That was the last thing Mario heard before a sudden evil ripped through his body, infected his mind and engulfed his soul.
