Milphey approached the former sorcerer hunter who had once been one of the finest people he had ever met. Never had he thought he would be standing here in the middle of Asparagus Park threatening Marron.

 

“This is very interesting.” Marron said with a slight smile, clearly amused at the events. “It seems we are at a stand still.” Marron held his black ward ready. Milphey had a Phoenix feather in his fingers.

 

“It seems we are. I don’t want to hurt you Marron, and frankly, I’m not sure what you are capable of right now. With all due respect you are a force to be reckoned with.”

 

“Thank you, Milphey. I am equally unwilling to charge you. As a Haz Knight you could very well obliterate me in an instant even though you say you don’t wish too.”

 

“Well, Marron, since neither of us is going to attack the other, let’s put away our magic and have a civil conversation.”

 

Marron nodded and each of them put away their magic wards. Marron’s ofuda went back up his sleeve, and he stood waiting for Milphey Yu to speak.

 

“I am only here to get the bag. The pouch you carry has unimaginable power.”

 

“I can’t let you have it, Milphey.”

 

“Listen to me, Marron. You are a sorcerer hunter. You know of the influence forbidden magic can have on someone’s mind. Please try to remember what it was like to be a sorcerer hunter for just a minute.”

 

“I know what you are trying to do. You are trying to appeal to my conscious and humanity. It’s not going to work.”

 

“Very well.” Milphey snapped his fingers and suddenly two huge, strong arms went around Marron. Marron jerked his head up and looked angrily into the eyes of his father.

 

“Son, give us the bag.”

 

“Never.”

 

Milphey closed the distance between them and started reaching into Marron’s robes. “Hmmm. Any other time I would like to savor this moment of exploration, but I have a job to do.”

 

Marron kicked Milphey in the nuts and struggled in his father’s grasp. Milphey swore heavily and keeled over. Onion only tightened his grip. Milphey stood up and shook his finger at Marron. “Naughty naughty boy. Let’s not do that again or I will let the feather loose on you.” After a few moments searching he replied, “It’s not here.”

Onion let go of his son then and Marron tried to hide his scorn. Milphey stared him in the eye. “Where is it, Marron?”

 

Marron smiled.

 

“Son,” Onion said. “Tell us where the bag is. Help us save your soul.”

 

“Your concern sickens me.” Marron said. He quickly punched Milphey in the face, catching both Milphey and Onion off guard. Then he disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

 

Milphey cupped his chin. “Ow. What a good shot.”

 

“He was using the magic without the bag.” Onion replied. “The magic is in his head now. He may not even have the bag. It could’ve seeped inside him.”

 

“I don’t think it has yet, but it will if we don’t hurry. So far he hasn’t killed anyone yet, “ Milphey turned around and he and Onion began to walk out of the park. “But we can’t waste any time. He’s already attacked his team members. That’s how it begins. You attack the ones who hurt you first.”

 

“Then it’s not enough.” Onion elaborated. “Then you go after all evildoers, then innocents.”

 

“It never ends.” Milphey continued.

 

“It has to.”