Sirens are strange creatures. Born from a very special magical pearl that is found in only certain parts of the world, they are especially rare. They live very long lives, some say centuries, and are known for their unearthly beauty. You see, when a Siren is born, she emerges with hair and skin of the same hue as the shell of her pearl, and feathers to match. These colors are lovely and pale with a soft sheen, like the abalone found within the clam shells from which they hatch. They are creatures of magic. Created by magic, made beautiful by magic, and deadly because of magic. Their voices are unparalleled, capable of the most beautiful song that any other race could ever be unfortunate enough to hear. Unfortunate because, within these lovely creatures, lies a thirst for blood. They use their songs and outward beauty to lure unsuspecting travelers in and then feast upon their flesh.

Or so the stories go.

Not much is truly known about Sirens. Some say that they are just myths, others swear that they have seen them in real life. But, no matter what others say, there is one story that is most certainly true.

Sirens, in general, are rather unsociable creatures. Aside from venturing out to feed or to protect their territory, they remain solitary. That is how it always has been. Until, one day, the rarest of pearls hatched a Siren of an odd disposition. Most Sirens are white, as that is the most common color. The rarer the color of the pearl that the Siren hatches from, the more esteemed the Siren is among her sisters. This Siren was hatched from a blue pearl, and her birth was greeted eagerly. However, the others quickly realized that this new hatchling was odd for a Siren. As she grew, she developed a strange interest in the outside world. Rather than wanting to kill humans, she expressed a need to speak with them and learn about them. The others tried to persuade her that humans were undesirable creatures, and that she should give up her foolishness. They used kind words to change her mind, horrific stories to frighten her from seeking out humans, and even worked their powerful hypnosis magic to make her forget about her dream. Nothing worked. If anything, the forbidden nature of her desire only caused it to grow. To the point that, eventually, she left her home and ventured into the world of men.

While Sirens are very distinctive creatures, they do have the ability to pass for human for short periods of time. This was how the young Siren blended in with them long enough to ask her questions and observe the creatures that had fascinated her for so many years. She found a great joy in her interactions, a joy that her sisters could not understand. For a long time, she was safe in her explorations. She would act as a human for a good part of the day and find a water source for the night. Sirens are water creatures, after all. They can't be away from it for too long. This routine of sorts served her well until, one day, a man with horrible intent took interest in her and followed her to what he believed to be her home. Imagine his surprise when the woman he had thought was so beautiful slipped into a nearby lake and released her transformation and returned to her true form: a creature with skin and hair of palest silvery blue, and wings like the clearest sky. Enraptured by her unearthly and exotic appearance, the man rallied a few of his friends and, together, they waited for night to fall again. Then, they went to the lake, knowing that she would be there. Under the moon's watchful eye, they found the poor Siren sleeping in a nest of reeds, partially hidden by the boughs of a willow. Quietly, they closed in, intent on their prize.

She awoke too late, warned by the snap of a twig under one of her attackers' boots. Frightened and startled, she screeched, unleashing her magic to defend herself. Despite the sound attack, the kidnappers were relentless. They pressed in before she could dive below the water or use her wings to fly. They took her wrists and ankles, producing rope to bind her, and had even brought a large strip of cloth to restrain her wings. Despite her screams and struggles, there were too many for her to fend off. Her sisters' warnings of the cruelty of mankind came back to her, and she realized that, in some regards, they had been right.

Just when the young Siren had resigned herself, bound and gagged, to the fate that faced her, he appeared. A man clothed in only simple traveling garments, who moved like the wind. He asked no questions pertaining to the situation and gave no reasons for his being there when asked by the offending men. With an inhuman speed, he rushed through the attacking group, taking the Siren from them and reappearing a few feet away. Then, turning back to them, he spoke only one word-

"Stop."

The resulting sound attack was enough to drive the men back. After all, they were still reeling from the Siren's defensive measures, and they had no magic of their own. Unwilling to fight one who was so obviously a wizard, they fled, leaving their prize behind.

Carefully, the wizard set the Siren free, wary of frightening her further. He smoothed her hair and her feathers, murmuring soft assurances to calm her. He expected her to run when freed, but, she merely huddled on the ground next to him, unwilling to leave. Confused, he asked why she did not run from him. She replied that, as he had surely saved her life, she was indebted to him. Surprised by this, the wizard quickly assured her that he had no wish to hold her to such a bond. However, she would not be swayed, and, suddenly, the wizard's act of kindness had won him a surprising new companion. When he departed from that place and continued on his journey, he was followed by the Siren.

Talia paused in her storytelling to catch her breath. Around her, on the floor of the guild hall, sat nearly twenty children of varying ages, all of them fixated on her as she spoke. One was nestled on her lap, her small head leaning back against Talia's chest as she fought against sleep. The eldest of the group was at least fifteen, and was holding a young child of his own, having brought him there to hear the tale. When she stopped speaking, a number of the children scooted forward, almost panicked.

"Don't stop, Talia!" cried one girl, reaching out to tug at the mage's pant leg.

"Yeah! What happens next?" a boy on the other side of the small crowd backed her up.

Talia smiled, readjusting her hold on the child in her arms. The girl shifted sleepily, sucking in a sharp breath as she returned to full awareness for just a moment.

"Mhm, auntie, more…" she mumbled.

Talia's smile grew with her amusement. She cocked a pale brow at the children before her, taking in their eager expressions.

"But you all know this story," she said in faux thoughtfulness, "I really could just stop it there…"

"No!"

The collective cry drew the attention of a few of the wizards who milled about the Learnaean Hydra guild hall. Many of them either smiled fondly or immediately dismissed the sound. The presence of a large number of children was a common occurrence, what with one of the members being Fiore's possibly most gifted storyteller. The doors of the guild were often left open in the warm months so that the breeze could carry inside, usually bringing with it members of the community. The children came year round, though, they were somewhat discouraged in the winter. Talia had been known for her storycrafting since her earlyteen years, and her reputation had only grown over time. At eighteen, she was much beloved by all of the children who frequented the guild hall, and many who did not. She never turned down a request from them, though, they usually asked for the tale of "The Siren and the Wizard" and its sequel "The Princess and the Demon".

Around them, the guild operated as usual. The small group sat on the wide walkway that led from the front door to a raised platform, where a large chair and desk sat. They were more for show than actual work, as the guild master operated from a separate office. But, he did use the desk to receive visitors and special requests. Behind the desk was a board for the posting of job requests. Off to the sides of the platform at the end were small tables for congregation and meals, a bar against one wall. On either side of the walkway were long pools of water that were in constant motion, lapping gently at the edges of the path. On the opposite sides of the pools, along the walls, stood busts of well-known guild members, flanked by large statues of five-headed hydras.

Talia's own bust was located on the southern wall, next to the guild's most famous wizard: the shadow mage, Nox. The stone replica bore the same soft smile that endeared her to her young audience. The one she gave them now was a bit more mischievous.

"Are you sure?" the young woman mused, tapping her chin with one hand, "I'm feeling a little tired, you know…" she stifled a fake yawn.

This drew a mix of giggles and indignant cries from her audience.

"Talia!" one boy groaned dramatically, "I wanna hear the part when the wizard and his friends kill the demon!"

A number of concurrences sounded. Talia smiled.

"But that's not until the end of the second story. We can't skip ahead."

"Then keep telling, Talia!"

"Yeah!"

"Finish the first one then do the second one!"

"Tell us about how they fell in love," a girl in the front sighed dreamily.

Laughter finally broke free from the wizard before them. She wrapped both arms around her niece, who had begun to doze in her lap, resting her chin on the girl's head and grinning unrepentantly. She enjoyed teasing her young friends far too much.

"Alright, if you guys insist…"

She cleared her throat and began to speak again, her voice falling back into the soft tones she used when storytelling.

Despite the wizard's numerous attempts to send her away, the Siren insisted that it was the way of her kind to repay life debts. Seeing that he had no choice, the wizard took her into his home. He was not alone, as he had a young son. The Siren had never had a chance to meet a human child, and the boy piqued her curiosity. His mother had died not long after his birth, and he had been raised primarily by his father and the guild to which the wizard belonged. He found the Siren to be interesting, and held no fear for this inhuman creature. The wizard asked that the Siren repay her debt by looking after his son, since he was often away on dangerous missions. She agreed, and, soon, she and the boy came to love each other. Sirens cannot have children, they are hatched from pearls. The opportunity to care for a child was one that she never would have been able to partake in had it not been for her odd situation. She did her utmost to ensure that the young boy wanted for nothing, and showed him affection in the way she had seen the human mothers doing. She praised his accomplishments and mourned his failures. When he trained with his magic, she helped him in what way she could. When he had nightmares, she used her Siren's voice to chase away his fears. The boy, who had never had a mother, quickly grew attached to the Siren. With his father often away, she became the most important person in his life, filling the void his mother had left.

The wizard was not unaware of the bond forming between his son and the creature who had tied herself to him. Part of him was afraid. Sirens were mythical creatures, known for their brutality when it came to men. But, another part of him knew that this particular Siren would never harm the child she'd come to love. Before long, he himself loved her too, his heart drawn to her by the way she cared for his son and the dedication she showed to the boy. The Siren, happy with her new life in the wizard's home, slowly became a part of the human family, filling the hole left by the death of the wizard's wife. Within only a year's time, she and the wizard became married, and she became even more dedicated to the two humans who had come to mean so much to her: the man who had saved her life, gaining her heart in the process, and the child that she loved as her own.

But, all good things cannot last. As the years of happiness went by, one after the other, the Siren realized that her husband and her son would continue to age, as all humans do, and that she would remain unchanged. As her husband grew old, she would look as she always had, and her son would all too soon physically appear to be the same age. And, then, one day, they would die, leaving her alone. She fell into despair, breaking under the weight of the realization. The wizard, concerned for her, asked what he could do to help allay her fears, what would make her happy again.

A child, she told him. A child that was both a part of her and a part of him, one that would possibly age more slowly than a human. The existence of such a child would mean that the Siren would not lose her family so quickly. A part of her love would live on in their child, with her. The wizard agreed, understanding that this solution could be the cure for her depressive state. Before long, through a bit of magical aid, she conceived a baby and the family was happy again. Soon, they would have a new addition, one that was unlike anything the world had seen before. A halfblood child had never before been created, to their knowledge. The baby would be so wonderfully unique, the only one of its kind in the entire world, and that made it all the more special.

Unfortunately, in her eagerness for a child, and in the joy the family felt at the imminent arrival of the baby, they had all forgotten one very important thing. Sirens do not give birth. They are hatched. No one foresaw this as a complication. By the time they realized the danger, it was too late.

Finally, the time for the baby to be born came. At first, everything seemed to be going well. Then, things went horribly wrong. The Siren had been weakened considerably by carrying the baby, and she did not have the strength to survive the birthing. She died, almost immediately after the child was delivered, barely living long enough to see that it was a girl. Likewise, a half Siren child was an anomaly, and it seemed that Death had stretched out its claws to strike again. But, it had not realized that the wizard's will to keep his daughter alive burned brighter than the most brilliant flame. He did everything he could, utilizing everything that his wife had shared about her kind, to keep the child alive. For weeks, he remained practically glued to the little girl, ensuring that she ate properly, was hydrated adequately, was immersed in water often enough for her Siren blood to be appeased, and was cared for in every other way necessary. His son, driven by the grief of his mother's loss, helped him in every way. Together, father and son nurtured the Siren's child, keeping her alive until the day that she was finally strong enough to survive as any other baby would. The guild came around them, supporting them and helping them in any way they could. Together, they raised the daughter from an infant to a little girl with a voice like that of her Siren mother and hair as blue as the rarest of pearls. Over the years, she grew both in beauty and magic, the first, and only, child of her kind.

"The end," Talia finished.

Immediately, she was met with a cacophony of response.

"Only of the first part!" someone said.

Many of the children nodded eagerly in agreement. It was obvious that they felt cheated.

"Tell us about the demon!"

"The one that tries to take her away!"

"Yeah! Tell us about how the wizard beat him!"

Talia sighed, glancing at the clock that hung on the back wall of the common room. It was ticking into the afternoon. With a small, apologetic shrug, she looked back to the children.

"I'm sorry, my friends, but it's almost two o'clock. You know what that means."

A few of her audience members groaned. Two o'clock was the time at which a number of the children, those who did not have relatives within the guild, were requested to depart. It was at around this time that guild members who had gone on assignments began to straggle in, and, despite the guild's enjoyment of having the children there, many of the mages wanted to rest after finishing their missions. A gaggle of children pestering them for details was hardly restful. Not to mention, there was also the chance that someone would return with a gruesome injury or story to share, and they would rather the children not be exposed to that.

"Come on, time to head home."

Talia shifted her niece so that she held the child in one arm, the girl's head flopping listlessly against her shoulder. At the age of four, she really was getting too big to be held, but, Talia had a bad habit of spoiling her. Grunting slightly with the child's weight, Talia stood and began the process of shooing her audience away. Those whose parents or other family members were guild members scampered off to other parts of the hall, some of them chattering about going swimming in the pools that framed the walkway. Many of the community children bid their goodbyes and ran off to return home, calling back requests for the sequel story to be told the next day. A few playfully clung to Talia in rebellion against leaving, nearly dragging the slender wizard over. Laughingly, she herded them to the open doors and pushed them through, struggling to keep her niece on her hip.

"Aw, come on, Talia! Just one more! It won't take long."

"I don't wanna go yet!"

The mage shooed them off.

"You'll have to wait to hear another story! I should be in tomorrow if a job doesn't come up, okay? Now go on! And don't bother my guildmates about their jobs, okay?"

With some mutinous muttering and reluctant agreement, the remaining children finally departed, scattering down the front steps of the guild hall and disappearing down the street that led from the massive doors. Just beyond the Learnaean Hydra compound walls was the valley that lay outside Crocus, the capital city of Fiore. Only a half mile distant lay one of the gates that led into the great city itself. Talia remained where she was, standing at the central building of the guild's property. From there, she could easily see the road that ran past their guild and ensure that the children made it safely back inside the city. Once there, the ever-watchful city guard would take over, and she knew that nothing bad would happen to the young ones on their way home.

Keeping Ash tucked against her side, she absently patted her niece's back, sharp grey eyes tracking the children's progress as they ran down the road. A few times, they had left the path, resulting in her needing to go track them down and return them home herself. But, after those few times, she'd frightened them enough with warnings of "I'm watching" to ensure that they stayed the proper course.

Most parents would be wary of allowing their children outside the city, even such a short distance. It was only Learnaean Hydra's reputation that soothed the minds of those parents that did so. Though not as high ranking or powerful as the other guild that lurked outside Crocus's walls, they were much better liked. Their popularity didn't lie in their strength, but in their willingness to help in any way necessary, and to take even the small jobs that didn't pay much. Talia smiled softly as the last child from her audience made it safely through the gate. Many of these children's parents worked during the day, leaving their little ones to run about with little supervision. Talia was a godsend for these families. Her numbers had been low today since it was a day that many of the parents were allowed off from work. It wasn't uncommon for her to have as many as fifty kids crammed into a corner of the guild hall, listening while she told them a story or sang them a song. Recently, she had needed to reach out to a few of her fellow guild members for help with bringing in new material. The children, for a reason she didn't quite understand herself, loved her. And they loved the guild and its members. It wasn't uncommon for them to stop a Learnaean Hydra member in the streets of Crocus and ask them questions about their most recent jobs, or for the families of the little ones to offer the guild wizards a seat at the dinner table.

While Sabertooth was known for its strength and physical prowess, Learnaean Hydra was a guild of people's champions. They kept the children out of trouble, helped old women with their shopping, and even saved kittens from trees for small fees. Talia's storytelling and entertainment was free, but, for a small price, she would ensure that her audience members had a good lunch, as provided by herself and her sister-in-law. Popularity and being well thought of didn't pay for food, though. The guild's main source of income, of course, came from the bigger jobs.

Talia's gaze turned to beyond the city. That was where her brother, Nox, was at the moment. Where he usually was. As the guild's strongest S-class wizard, he was almost always away from home, leaving his daughter and wife to wait at the guild. Hydra had four S-class wizards in its ranks, a good number for any guild. But, with Sabertooth literally just over the rise, competition for big jobs was tough. All four of the top wizards were almost always away, working hard on the most dangerous of jobs to bring in large amounts of money and maintain the guild.

That would soon change, Talia thought with a sigh. At least, it would if her father's plan went accordingly.

Ash stirred slightly, jolting as she scared herself from slumber with a light snore. Talia laughed quietly, her thoughts brought back to the present. She turned, heading back inside. As she passed between the tall, white pillars that flanked the golden doors, she began to hum softly, patting her niece's back rhythmically in time to the song. Ash was at the age when sleeping and playing were all she wanted to do. Her mother, Terra, promised that it was just a phase, but, Talia not-so-secretly thought it was an indicator of future laziness. Biting back an amused smile at the memory of Terra's less than impressed expression, Talia strode down the walkway, narrowly avoiding being splashed by the children who had already jumped into the water. There was a time when those pools had been for decorum, but, that time had passed long ago, when Talia was a small girl.

At the end of the walkway, where the desk stood on the raised platform, the guild's master had appeared to rifle through documents. Talia shook her head slightly. As soon as the children left, he would suddenly emerge from his office. A tall man with a head of close-cropped grey hair and an equally grey beard, Ladon Drakos stood with a surety that did nothing to betray his age. A comfortable outfit consisting of sweatpants and a matching shirt made him look more like an irresponsible loafer than the guild's master, but anyone who was familiar with him knew he was anything but irresponsible, or a loafer. Her father was well respected both in Crocus and beyond.

Ladon glanced up when he heard her approach. His lips curved into a fond smile.

"I see that almost all of the little ankle biters have gone home for the day."

Talia made an amused sound, shaking her head. Her long hair shifted over her back, pale blue catching the light from the still-open doors.

"You enjoy having them here, father. Admit it."

"Hmph," he signed off on a completed job form, "Perhaps. When they aren't all clamoring at the same time."

"It's not so different from what normally goes on in the guild. We aren't exactly a quiet bunch."

Ladon waved a hand dismissively, his pen still held in his calloused fingers. Mage or no, the guild master had done his fair share of physical labor over the years, and had earned every wrinkle, callous, and scar that marked his skin.

"The sound of happy wizards is different than the shrieking of those little monkeys, and you know it. My old ears can't take much more of it, Talia."

Talia rolled her pale eyes in mock exasperation. The playful argument was an old one that neither side had won.

"Well, then, I suppose that you don't want this little monkey, either? I could just keep her, you know…"

The guild master glanced up as she turned to show him the still-sleeping girl in her arms. The little girl's brown hair was sticking up in odd places and lying flat in others. One strand dangled over her slack face before being blown sharply away with each exhale. As soon as he laid eyes on his granddaughter, the old man's gaze softened. He finished one last signature and set his pen down, stepping around the desk.

"That's not fair at all, Talia," he opened his arms, taking the sleeping child from his daughter, "Using poor Ash against me like that. For shame."

Talia's grin was unrepentant. As the girl was passed between them, she jolted awake for a moment, sensing the shift. Upon realizing what was going on, she gave a sleepy smile.

"Hi, grandpa," she murmured happily, immediately tucking her head under his chin, "I sleepy," the statement was punctuated by a wide yawn that showed two missing teeth.

Ladon chuckled, rubbing her back with one hand, his other arm wrapped around her legs to keep her in place.

"I can see that. You go ahead and keep on sleeping. Grandpa will hold you for a while."

"Okay."

With another yawn, she nuzzled closer to his chest. Within moments, she was snoring softly again, her mouth hanging open.

Talia smiled as the old man sat down in the high-backed chair behind the desk. Holding his granddaughter with one hand, he continued looking through the paperwork with the other. With the guild wizards coming back for the day, they would be bringing numerous reports for their guild master to review, paying the small fee that came with being part of the guild, and perhaps even looking for a new job to pick up for the next day. Ladon had to be present for all of that. There were rare exceptions when he was away, at which point one of the senior guild members would handle the day-to-day things, but, on the whole, Ladon stayed home in Crocus. That way, he could be with his family and his guild, watching his granddaughter grow up.

It was a bit amusing, just how much of a homebody he was. Four years prior, he had been given the title of Wizard Saint. Talia chuckled, remembering how, when he'd been officially been granted the title by the chairman of the magic council, he'd acted humbled and almost embarrassed. Afterwards, though, when his old friends from his previous guild had thrown him a celebratory party, he'd asked "what am I supposed to do with this title? Put it on a plaque on my desk?". He never had been one to like it when attention was drawn to him. Despite his grumpiness at his title, though, Talia suspected that he was secretly pleased to be so recognized as one of the great few.

Ladon glanced up at her and frowned.

"What are you standing around for?" he asked, "Don't you have something to do in the city?"

Talia gave him a blank look. Then, her eyes widened in realization and remembrance.

"Oh! I completely forgot!" she quickly retreated from the platform, "Thank you, dad!"

The guild master sighed, shaking his head as his daughter ran down the walkway, towards the front door. As famous as the girl was for her singing and storytelling, she could be so scatterbrained. His eyes cut to the wall near the bar, where guild members had cut out and framed pictures and articles that featured their fellows. Sorcerer Weekly covers and articles, newspaper headlines, and group photos covered the wall. The pale blue hair that marked his daughter was the most prominent on the Sorcerer side of things. She was a humble girl, more concerned with spending time with her young audience than working her professional angle. He snorted in exasperated amusement. If it weren't for his reminding her, or the reporters and agents showing up from time to time, he doubted she would care to remember that she even operated on a professional level. But, a girl with a voice like hers couldn't escape the spotlight when the reporters were constantly sniffing around for things to write about. Ever since Fairy Tail had disappeared, seven years earlier, the other guilds had been given a chance for bigger roles in the popularity contests of the magical world. Blue Pegasus was as prominent as ever, and Sabertooth and Lamia Scale certainly got their fair share of features. But, when Ladon had been granted the title of Wizard Saint, Learnaean Hydra had been put on the proverbial map. The reporters had come seeking to interview him, and they had stumbled across his daughter's talent as she sang to the children who so often gathered in the hall. Next thing the guild knew, their little Talia was rising in stardom as a wizard musician.

Ladon looked back towards the door, watching as Talia paused to greet one of their returning wizards, a young woman named Kassandra. The blonde woman, dressed in flowing whites and golds, gave her a soft but tired smile, exchanging a few pleasantries. Kassandra was another one who had caught the public's eye when Learnaean Hydra gained popularity. A beautiful but shy woman, she was often called upon to act as a model. She didn't particularly enjoy it, and often turned down jobs because of her refusal to undress beyond certain levels, but, she did it for the sake of keeping the guild's name fresh in the minds of possible clients. Ladon brought a hand to his chin, rubbing his beard. With Talia set to produce another record over the next few weeks and Kassandra scheduled for a wedding dress photoshoot soon, they would be seeing a spike in job offers. That was usually how it went. One of their guild members would do something to get their name out in the public eye and, for a while, job offers would pour in. Then, they would taper off until the next spike in popularity.

Ladon was looking to change that.

In two months' time, Crocus's Grand Magic Games would again be held. In past years, Learnaean Hydra had entered a team just to help the viewers remember their name. Recently, however, Ladon had realized that this wasn't enough. They would have to throw their most powerful available wizards into the mix in order to show off their power and abilities, so that clients would understand just what the guild had to offer. And if they won…

The old man smiled wryly as Kassandra bid Talia farewell and made her way tiredly up the walkway. It was unlikely, but, it would be icing on the proverbial cake.

"Good afternoon, master."

Ladon's smile became more genuine as Kassandra stopped before his desk.

"Good afternoon, Kassie. Did you have a safe trip?"

The blonde woman nodded, her curls bouncing with the movement of her head. Her bare shoulders were littered with faint bruises from her most recent mission to slay a beast that had been wreaking havoc in a town a few day's journey from Crocus.

"As safe as could be," she held out her mission report in one white-gloved hand, "It was a success."

Ladon's smile widened.

"Good! It's good to have you home. Get some food in you and head on over to the dorms, alright? You'll need your rest after all that."

Kassandra gave him a grateful smile.

"Thank you, master. I'll be sure to do that."

With a fond glance at Ash, she left the platform upon which the desk sat, making her way towards the bar. A few of the guild's members were already making use of the tables there and called out greetings and questions about her job. Ladon watched her thoughtfully before turning his eyes back to the open doors, his hand coming up to rub his beard again.

"Hm…a team of five…" he murmured.

Of course, having put a team into the games every year that they occurred, he knew the rules. A team of five was necessary. The guild master could not participate. And according to the news he'd heard, a second team could be entered. Of course, they would have to begin training straight away with the games so close. But, if he entered who he had in mind, they would be fine without too much extra training.

Reaching one rough hand into a drawer of the desk, he removed a folder that contained a current roster of Learnaean Hydra members. Of course, it had been carefully enchanted so that only those who bore the guild's insignia could view it, since it was so easily accessible. A more official record was kept safely away in his office. He laid the folder on the desk and flipped it open, making sure that he didn't rouse his granddaughter in the process. She would be cranky if she didn't get her full nap in. Staring up at him from the first page was a picture of his eldest son, Nox. A fond smile curved the old man's lips. Soon, the boy would be returning from a very long mission. Ladon would do his best to ensure that he stuck around at least long enough to complete the games. His son needed some extended time with his wife and daughter. He was also the strongest S-class wizard the guild had. A natural leader and respected guild member, he would be the perfect center for the team.

Ladon turned the page. Talia smiled up at him from the page, her statistics printed next to her photo. He never liked the idea of putting her into a situation where her powers would be shown off, but, he trusted that she would be as discreet as possible. She had in past years. As their second-strongest, she was an obvious choice. He sighed softly. Both of his children in the games…it would be a nerve-wracking year for sure.

Looking up, he watched as Talia ran through the gate at the front of the guild's compound, her guitar slung across her back, her blue hair streaming out behind her. She had changed from her previous t-shirt and jeans to her preferred work clothes. Tight black pants hugged her legs, leading down to the glass shoes that her sister-in-law had given her for her birthday. The guild master still did not understand why anyone would want glass shoes, but, both women insisted that they had some sort of magical properties that couldn't be found in other shoe types. As soon as he caught sight of her top, though, all thoughts of those ridiculous shoes disappeared. His eye began to twitch. The shirt, if it could be called that, wrapped around her chest, exposing everything above and below. Billowing sleeves hung off her shoulders and cinched just below her elbows.

Ladon slapped his hand to his face. For a girl who insisted she would prefer not to draw attention to herself, she certainly dressed in a way that said otherwise. He swore he could feel a hernia developing every time she went out dressed like that, midriff bared for all the world to see. At least she kept her hips and backside covered with a sash of sorts. Though, in all honesty, he would prefer she wrap it around her stomach to cover the bare skin.

The guild master pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering vehement remarks about how he was too old to have a daughter that dressed in such a way.


Hello and welcome to the first chapter of Song of Shadows! This is Melissiaew and I's latest story idea. Don't worry, Survivor and Seeker fans, I am actively working on the next update! It's just gotten super long and we're trying to figure out where to end one chapter and begin the next without things being weird for the plot. This story, like the others, came into being when we had a 'what if' moment at work. I mostly wanted to write this because it's been so long since I wrote a romance and am feeling the need for one. SaS's romance is so sidelined and Unwilling Sword is so dark that I needed some fluff in my life!

I hope you enjoy what's to come. I am speeding ahead with this story and am already well into the next chapter. Just to clarify, this chapter is set two months before the X791 Grand Magic Games. I will admit that I have stuck strictly to the anime (skipping filler arcs), which may cause some differences in details for you manga readers.

Please, leave a review and stick with us for the next update!