[Scene opens in a rundown urban district, rain pouring over slick rooftops. A cloaked figure stands over the edge of a building, watching. Below, Red "Cider" Pommeline approaches with her bag. She's soaked, scarred, and exhausted. The Headmaster awaits at the entrance of an abandoned cathedral.]
Headmaster: "So you're the girl they call Red. Cider Pommeline, is it?"
Red: "What's it to you, old man?"
Headmaster (chuckling softly): "Such venom. No wonder Sarah trained you. You're here for her, aren't you?"
Red (clenching fists): "She died for your stupid cause. You better make this worth it."
Headmaster: "We don't make things worth it. We give people the means to survive. Do you want revenge or salvation?"
Red: "...Hmph. Grandmother always said, 'Give to the Catholic Church.' Guess I'm donating my fists."
Headmaster (smirking): "Good choice. Next stop—main headquarters of the Church of Hunters."
---------
[The group of four walks through the dripping, dim corridors of the Parisian sewers. One Hunter holds a flashlight, illuminating cobwebs and rats. Red scowls.]
Red: "Pouah... cette odeur! The hell are we?"
Headmaster (twirling cane): "Ah, the fragrant veins of Paris. Beautiful sewage system, no?"
Red (covering nose with cloak): "Speak for yourself, grandpa."
Headmaster: "Smelled better on the boat rides."
Red: "Listen, old man. You said you were taking me to the Church of Hunters. Try anything funny, I'll put a bullet between your eyes. You and those two back there."
[Headmaster internally, adjusting glasses.] "Old...? Maybe it's the glasses. Note to self: get new frames."
Red: "Oi, did you hear me?! I'm talking to you, geezer!"
[ The Headmaster presses his hand to the wall. A section slides open, revealing a sprawling underground city bathed in soft golden light—Lonake. Gothic Victorian architecture rises from the subterranean shadows.]
Red (whispering): "Holy heck..."
Headmaster: "Welcome to Lonake. Headquarters of the Church of Hunters."
Red: "Lonake, huh..."
Headmaster: "Where hunters live, train, and bleed. Since you're one of us now, this is your new home."
[walk through the cobblestone paths, lanterns flickering. Hunters train, argue, and trade weapons in the background.]
Red: "Hunter in training? Hold on..."
[Red stops, points aggressively at the Headmaster.]
Red: "YOU SAID I WAS A HUNTER! What's this 'training' nonsense!?"
Headmaster (turns calmly): "You're talented. No doubt. But you lack conviction."
[They stop before a grand cathedral-like building. The Headmaster taps his cane.]
Headmaster: "We follow principles I detest but must obey. The Church was built on them. So shall you."
[Large gates open with a grinding stone. Inside, a thousand Hunters spar, meditate, and clean weapons. Red stands wide-eyed.]
Headmaster: "We live in secrecy. Our first rule—our faces stay hidden from the public."
Red: "What, they can't handle people in black killing demons?"
Headmaster: "If the public knew what hid in the dark, the world would fall apart. Chaos. Panic. Governments would collapse."
[They stop in front of a sparring ring. Two Hunters duel inside.]
Headmaster: "This is where we part. But first—fight that Hunter."
Red: "Pssh. For what?"
Headmaster: "To determine your rank. And to see if you can control Vigur."
Red: "What's—?"
[She turns. The Headmaster has vanished. Red sighs, turns to leave—but the victorious Hunter from the ring blocks her path.]
Hunter: "What's a runt like you doing here?"
Red: "Move it."
Hunter (mocking): "Tsk tsk. Didn't your mommy teach manners?"
[Red's eye twitches. Rage boils. She clenches her fist.]
Red: "Move... or I move you."
Hunter: "Oh? A threat? Guess I will teach you something."
[He kicks her into the ring, cracking his black whip to intimidate. Red lands, grinning.]
Hunter: "Oooo spooky. Are you sure you're not a demon in a dress?"
[He cracks again. She dodges, then blitzes forward. Blinding speed. A flurry of punches and kicks. He's overwhelmed and socked in the face.]
Hunter (groaning): "Damn brat... lucky shot! You'll be crying for your mommy soon!"
Red (pulling out her axe): "I don't understand. Lucky? Or you let me? Either way—bad look for you."
[They clash again. Cut to an upper chamber where four elite Hunters watch behind glass.]
Nicholas: "Arrogance. Too much of it."
Valentine (lounging): "Oh Nicki, lighten up. She's feisty. No Vigur, though. That's...new."
Black (mouth full): "No grace either. Fighting like a rabid mannequin. And she was trained by one of us?"
Valentine (flirting with Headmaster): "I'll take her. She reminds me of me at that age."
Headmaster (calmly walking to the glass): "She's strong, maybe S-Class... but no control. No discipline. She's B-Rank. Halloween—you'll train her."
[Valentine goes slack-jawed. Halloween, a spooky young Hunter, gives a thumbs up.]
Valentine: "What!? Why her?!"
Headmaster: "If she's truly Vigurless, Halloween's class is safest. Now let the fight finish."
[Cut back to the ring. Red knocks the Hunter into the dirt again. She scoffs, resting the axe on her shoulder.]
Red: "What happened to teaching manners? You're a terrible role model."
Hunter: "You little—!"
[He raises a hand to attack. In a flash, the Headmaster and Halloween appear between them.]
Hunter: "Headmaster! Ms. Hal—"
Halloween: "Didn't I say—don't move?"
Headmaster: "Red Cinder Pommeline. You showed us you're no novice. Could be S-rank. But with wild emotions and no Vigur... B-Rank."
[Gasps ripple through the crowd. Headmaster twirls his cane.]
Headmaster: "Not good. Not bad. But hey—youngest B-Rank in history."
Hunter (furious): "Are you mad?! A wrench like her—"
Red: "Call me that one more time."
Hunter: "Shut up, you little—GAHH!!"
[His arm is severed. Blood sprays. Halloween hovers, smiling innocently.]
Halloween: "Told you not to move."
Red: "A bit much… but thanks."
Halloween: "We've got doctors. Now come on, Red. Time to meet your teachers."
-
NEXT ON GRIMMY!
"What's Vigur? Sounds dumb…"
"Red, your first mission awaits."
"Dammit girl! Stay put!"
"A...boy is...is…"