Chapter II

Thoma, Annerose, Erza, and Kagura were standing in front of the cave the bandit said the others were.

"This is the cave where the others are." Thoma pointed out.

"Looks like it. How do you want to do this Thoma?" Annerose asked.

"Normally hard and loud, but for this, I'm thinking we sneak in and see what they are up too." Thoma said.

Annerose looked a little shocked.

"What's with at look Annerose?" Erza asked.

"Normally Thoma likes to go in hard and loud. This is kinda out character for him." Annerose said.

"Really?" Erza and Kagura both said in disbelief.

"What?..." Thoma said trying to defend himself.

"Anyways, I agree with Thoma. Let's sneak in and see what we're up against." Erza said.

Everyone nodded then begun to sneak into the cave. The group came to chamber in the cave and saw a dozen bandits. Half of them were just sitting around and the other half were moving boxes onto a boat.

"What are they doing?" Kagura asked.

"I don't know, but look at those guys over there." Thoma said and pointing over to the far right corner,

Annerose, Erza, and Kagura looked over and saw three guys talking to each other. The three guys looked more dressed up then the others, one had orange hair, one had green hair, and the last one had mix of white and black hair.

"What do you think those guy are talking about?" Kagura asked.

"I don't know. Annerose. Think you can sneak up closer?" Thoma asked.

"I can try, but what if I get spotted?" Annerose asked.

"If you get spotted then I'll jump in a save you." Thoma said.

"Thank you Thoma. I'll back right back." Annerose said.

"Be careful." Erza and Kagura said to Annerose.

Annerose nodded then begun to sneak closer to the three guys. As she got closer Annerose heard some guys talking,

"What are we moving anyways?" One thug asked.

"I don't know, but we are not paid to know. Do you when the kids that ran into Phil will arrive?" The other thug asked.

"I think any moment know. We should get ready for them soon." The first thug said.

"Your right. Hurry up and put those boxes on the boat." The other thug said.

Annerose snuck pass those two thugs and moved closer the three dressed up guys. Annerose got close enough to hear the three dressed up guys, they were standing in a triangle. Two of the men had their backs towards where Annerose was hiding

"We managed to get you asked for. Now for your end of our bargain." The green hair guy said.

"I know I know. I always keep my word. Here, on this piece of paper is the location of your payment." The guy with white and black hair said handing the other two a piece of paper.

The white and black hair guy walked onto the boat and took off, before leaving he turned around and said,

"In case you didn't know, there are three kids and a cat hiding in here. The kids near the entrance and the cat is about five feet behind you."

The two guys looked behind them and saw Annerose then looked towards the entrance and noticed Thoma, Erza, and Kagura.

"Get them men." The orange hair guys said.

The thugs then rushed towards Thoma, Erza, and Kagura. The two dressed up guys went after Annerose, but Annerose flew up into the air and headed back towards the others.

"Alright Erza and Kagura. Let's split up the bandits. I'll get to Annerose." Thoma said then jumped down and ran towards Annerose.

Erza and Kagura nodded then followed shortly after. Erza drew her sword and clashed with the other bandits. Kagura stood behind her and provided backup with her Energy Magic. Thoma used his Chain Magic to slam the bandits into the walls, Annerose landed on Thoma's head. Thoma, Erza,and Kagura made short work of the bandits and tied them up, but the two dressed up guys managed to get away. Thoma went up a bandit, who wasn't unconscious, and asked,

"Who are bosses. Who was that on the boat?"

"I don't know the guy on the boat. He just showed up one day and asked my boss for something. I don't know what it was, but he promised my boss with something very valuable." The bandit said.

"Ok. Whose your boss?" Thoma asked.

"The two that were here were Sean and Quinn O'Neil. From the O'Neil Family." The bandit said.

"O'Neil Family?" Thoma asked in confusion.

"The O'Neil Family is a big merchant family. They have a big network of trade all over Fiore and other countries." Erza said walking up to Thoma and the bandit.

"And you know this how?" Thoma asked confused.

"How do you know not know?" Kagura asked.

"Anyways, The O'Neil Family being apart of this is troubling." Erza said.

"It is and we should get to the bottom of this, but right now we should finish our original quest." Annerose said.

Erza and Kagura nodded.

"Yeah, but before we go let me ask you a few questions." Thoma asked the bandit.

"What?" The thug asked.

"Which one had the five hundred thousand Jewel bounty?" Thoma asked.

"I don't know about the guy with white and black hair, but neither Sean or Quinn have a bounty on their heads." The thug said.

"So I was lied to by that cave who pointed us to this place?" Thoma asked.

"Phil? Yeah, he will lie to save his skin." The thug said.

"And how do I know that your not lying to me?" Thoma asked.

"You don't." Thug laughed.

"After this, what do you and the others plan on doing?" Thoma asked.

"What do you mean?" The bandit asked.

"I mean are you and the others going to continue being bandits and rob people? Or are you going to clean your act and be good people?" Thoma asked getting closer to the bandit's face.

"And what if I say the former?" The bandit asked.

Thoma turned to Erza and Kagura then said,

"You might want to wait outside."

"What do you mean?" Erza and Kagura asked.

Annerose flew up to Erza and Kagura and said,

"I recommend you two listening to him on this."

Annerose then led Erza and Kagura out of the cave.

"What is Thoma going to do?" Kagura asked.

"Something I don't think you two should see." Annerose said.

After Annerose, Erza,and Kagura left the cave, Thoma turned back to the bandit and asked,

"Are you sure you don't change your answer?"

"You think I'm afraid of you? Your just a kid." The bandit laughed.

"Wrong answer." Thoma sighed.

Thoma looked around and saw a sword then grabbed it with his Chain Magic. Thoma stabbed the sword into the bandit's leg. The bandit screamed in pain when Thoma stabbed him.

"Oh does that hurt? You brought this on yourself." Thoma said twisting the blade a bit

The screamed in more pain. Annerose, Erza and Kagura could hear the bandit screaming.

"What is Thoma doing to the guy?" Erza asked.

"Thoma always asks bad people if they want to change the way they live their lives. When they say that they will not change, Thoma does bad things to them." Annerose explained.

Erza and Kagura back at the cave with a worried expression.

"I get it! I get it! I'll change my ways." The bandit exclaimed.

"Your just saying that now that you have sword in your leg. I gave you the chance to change your ways. Now your going to face you error of your ways." Thoma said pulling out the sword out of the bandit.

The bandit started to back away from Thoma, but couldn't move due being tied to the other thugs.

The other thugs started to wake up.

"What's going on?" A thug asked.

"Yeah guys! You want to be good guys now?!" The thug that had his leg stabbed asked in a panic.

"Why would we do that?" The other thugs asked at the same time.

"And with that you choose death." Thoma said.

Thoma placed his hands together, as if he was going to pray, then exclaimed,

"Flaming Whirlwind!"

Thoma pulled his hands apart and out around him. As he did, large waves of flames came bursting out. The flames went out in all directions, hitting all the thug and turned them into ashes. With their last breathes all the thugs screamed in burning pain. Once the flames subsided, Thoma walked out of the cave and said,

"Sorry about that, but I gave them a chance."

"You killed them?" Kagura asked.

"Unfortunately." Thoma said.

"Did...did you learn any thing else? Erza asked.

"...I... I did not." Thoma said a bit defeated.

Erza and Kagura looked at Thoma with a disappointed look. Thoma cleared his throat then asked,

"Putting that behind us, shall we head on to the Cerberus?"

"Yes." Erza and Kagura said at the same time.

Thoma, Erza, Kagura, Annerose left the cave and headed to where the Cerberus was. Erza and Kagura looked back at the cave one last time and the thought of what Thoma did to the thugs crossed their mind.

'How could he just kill those people like that?' Erza thought to herself then looked at Thoma.

After a day or two the group arrive in the small village of Sunflower. Sunflower Village had several huts that were for houses and there were little log cabins that were used for shops. Thoma walked up to a woman and asked,

"Excuse me, but where is your chief?"

"Hello. Welcome to Sunflower Village. Chief Asha is in his hut on the hill. What bring you to our village?" The woman asked.

"We're were to deal with your Cerberus problem." Thoma said.

The woman looked the group with a disbelief look and said,

"Chief Asha is in his hut."

"Thank you." The group said.

The group then headed to Chief Asha's hut. Thoma knocked on the door to the hut and shortly after the group heard,

"Come on. Come in."

"Ok. When we go in, let me do the talking." Thoma said.

Annerose, Erza, and Kagura nodded then the group entered the hut and saw a bald old man wearing tribal elder clothes sitting on a blanket looking at a few papers.

"Come in and sit down." Chief Asha said still looking at the papers.

The group looked around and there were no chairs, so the sat on the ground.

"Now tell me, why are you here? What brings you here?" Chief Asha asked.

"Chief Asha, my name is Thoma and this is my sister Erza, her guild mate Kagura, and my friend Annerose. We have come here to get rid of the Cerberus that is nearby the village." Thoma said introducing himself and the rest of the group.

Chief Asha looked surprised at the group when Thoma said they would be rid of the Cerberus.

"You three are going to fight that monster!?" Chief Asha exclaimed.

"Yes. I can assure that we can defeat that Cerberus for you. Can you tell us where the Cerberus is?" Thoma asked.

Chief Asha looked at the group for a moment then sighed and said,

"I don't think I should be sending kids to kill a monster."

"Chief Asha, I know we look like kids to you, but we are strong wizards and I know we can handle this for you." Thoma said.

Chief Asha sighed once again and said,

"Alright. I trust you. The Cerberus is about two hours away in the forest. It is very aggressive when someone enters its territory. So far it hasn't made a move on the village, but I fear that it may if left alone."

"Alright. Do you have any place for us to stay the night. It would be best to head out tomorrow in the morning." Thoma said.

"Yes I believe that would be best. The forest can be very dangerous at night. I'll have one of my aids show you were you can sleep for the night." Chief Asha said.

Chief Asha clapped his hands then a several moments later a man walked in and asked,

"Yes Chief Asha? What do you need?"

"These wizards are going to stay here for the night and tomorrow they'll head out to fight the Cerberus." Chief Asha said.

The man looked at the group with a surprised looked on his face then said,

"Yes... follow me and I'll show up where you can stay."

The man led the group to a cabin where they could sleep.

"This is where you'll stay tonight. There is two beds and a couch. There is a shower and a bath. There is enough food for you." The man said.

"Thank you for your hospitably." Thoma said.

"Thank you." Annerose, Erza, and Kagura said at the same time.

"Your welcome. Good luck tomorrow." The man said then walked away.

The group walked in the cabin and saw the inside and it was nice.

"This is very nice." Kagura said.

"I agree." Erza said.

"Yes it is. Why don't you two go take a shower while Annerose and I get dinner started." Thoma said.

"What are you cooking?" Erza and Kagura asked at the same time.

"You'll see." Thoma said walking into the kitchen.

Erza and Kagura looked at each other with a confused looked then headed up and took a bath.

"What do you plan on cooking?" Annerose asked.

"I was thinking about making cream corn, mash potatoes with cheese mixed into it, and chicken cooked with spice." Thoma said looking through the kitchen and pulling out what he needed to make dinner.

"I'm already getting hungry. What do you need me to do?" Annerose asked.

"I would like you to start by peeling the potatoes." Thoma said pointing to the potatoes.

Annerose nodded then begun peeling. Thoma and Annerose cooked dinner, Erza and Kagura cleaned up. Later the group were sitting around the table and Erza and Kagura were looking at the food and were drooling.

"This looks very good." Erza and Kagura said.

"I hope you two enjoy the food." Thoma said.

The group begun eating and the food was very good. Erza and Kagura couldn't choose to eat the food fast or slow. Some time after dinner, Annerose and Kagura fell asleep, Thoma and Erza were talking.

"Can I ask you a question Thoma?" Erza asked.

"What is it Erza?" Thoma asked.

"What made you to be like that?" Erza questioned.

"What do you mean?" Thoma asked looking confused.

"I mean, you had no problem killing those thugs. Why is that?" Erza asked looking a bit worried.

Thoma took a few moments to think then said,

"I guess because of what happened at Rosemary. That was the start then traveling with Mercer, he would do the same, as he lost his friends and family to Dark Wizards. Difference being that he tried to make it painless."

"That doesn't mean you have to do the same." Erza pointed out.

"Your saying that I should just let them go?" Thoma asked getting a little upset.

"No. I'm saying that you don't need to kill people. Arresting them and putting them in jail would work." Erza said.

"You think that? What if they do go to jail then when set free they do the same thing that put them jail in the first place again." Thoma said standing up.

"That still doesn't mean you have the right to take people's lives." Erza said also standing up.

"When those cultist attacked Rosemary, I believed you and Kagura died and lost you forever. Then I lost Mercer due to Dark Wizards. These people chose to do evil, I'm just doing what I believe is right." Thoma explained.

"That doesn't make you better then them. In fact, that makes you just like them." Erza said.

"I am nothing like them!" Thoma exclaimed.

"Yes you are! They kill people and you kill them. It's the same thing, but for different reasons." Erza explained.

"Why do you care!? You and Kagura have been tortured while in the Tower. Don't tell me that you didn't want to or did kill them to!" Thoma yelled.

"I don't want to lose my brother!" Erza screamed.

Thoma was caught off guard and stepped back and asked,

"What?"

"The brother I knew growing up in Rosemary wasn't like how you are now. The brother I knew always had a smile on his face and laughed a lot. He loved to run around, climb trees, and didn't have a care in the world. I loved that brother. The brother I have now, I don't know if I want to have brother like that." Erza said beginning to cry.

Thoma felt a rush of guilt hit him as Erza begun to cry. He walked up to her and gave her a hug saying,

"I'm sorry Erza. I never did like to see you or Kagura cry."

"I don't want to see you go down that path. It will change you for the worst." Erza said softly weeping.

"I promise you that I will go back to the brother you knew and love. I won't go down that path." Thoma said.

"Good." Erza said then gave Thoma a tight hug.

Thoma and Erza hugged for a few moments then Thoma said,

"We should go to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow."

"Yes we do. I'll see you in the morning." Erza said.

Thoma and Erza let go of each other. Erza carried Kagura to bed while Thoma fell asleep on the couch. The next day the group headed out to find and fight the Cerberus.