The Fairy Tail guild hall was bustling as always, many of its members leaving for jobs, returning from jobs, or just hanging out for a well earned rest. Among those returning from jobs was the Thunder Legion.

"Welcome back, guys!"

Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen greeted their comrades and found themselves relaxing with Cana and Levy.

"How did the job go?" Cana asked.

"It was too easy if you ask me." Evergreen said, fiddling with her glasses.

"Indeed. It was no challenge."

"Well, it was good pay though, right?"

Bickslow's attention was drawn from the conversation to a new face, one that belonged to a young woman with navy blue hair, tan skin and pointed ears.

"Hey, guys? Who's the new chick?"

Cana and Levy looked where he pointed.

"I think her name is Ayva Stryt. She's a member of the Stonevale Rangers, some kind of mercenary guild from one of the eastern towns near the border between Fiore and Bosco. She stopped by to speak with Master about something." Levy said. "I never thought I'd ever see an Eranosian."

"A what?"

"The Eranosian people were an ancient race of elves that lived in the forests throughout Fiore. It was believed that they had all died out centuries ago, but I had heard a rumour that one of their lost cities, Lilvelone, had survived the culling."

"Culling?"

"According to the 'History of Eranos', the elves were targeted by dark guilds. Their cities were culled, their magik stolen, anyone who didn't possess magik was killed. Lilvelone disappeared during the first culling, but beyond that, nothing more is known about the lost city."

"Well, elf or not, she doesn't really talk much." Cana added. "And there's something weird about her, too. I wanna say it's just because she's a Ranger, but honestly I'm not sure it's as simple as that."

Bickslow looked at Ayva as she stood talking with Makarov. "Cana's right. Something's not right about that chick." He activated his eye magik and looked at her soul, but what he found was not what he was expecting. "No way..."

"What? What do you see?"

Bickslow's eyes widened as Ayva turned to leave, her business finished with Makarov. When her eyes met his, he was met with an empty emerald gaze. "This chick has no soul..."

"What? Are you serious?"

"Dead serious. I can't see anything inside of her. And she's not some kind of doll, so how is that even possible?"

"I'm here at the request of your Master."

"And you are?"

"Ayva Stryt of the Stonevale Rangers."

"Oh, of course. Right this way."

Ayva Stryt, the young rising star of the Stonevale Rangers, followed one of the members of Sabertooth- a powerful wizards' guild that had sent in a request for aid. She ignored the ever incessant stares of the other Sabertooth wizards, something she was all too familiar with because of her appearance.

"Master, the Ranger you sent for is here."

Ayva looked at the young wizard referred to as "Master" and she bowed. "Greetings, Sting Eucliffe. The Stonevale Rangers have sent me to represent our guild in assisting you."

Sting looked at the young woman, eyes wide. Before him stood a young woman about his age, nearly as tall as he and his companion were, with long navy blue hair- half of which was kept in a bun- that hung down to her lower back, tan skin and brilliant emerald green eyes. But what really caught his attention, aside from her beauty, was her pointed ears- each bearing two simple and small silver hoop earrings. "You're an elf..?"

Ayva stood up straight, tucking her hands into her back pockets. "Will that be a problem, sir?"

"N-No, of course not."

"Forgive him, Lady Ranger." one of his companions said, bowing to her. "It is widely believed that the Eranosian people died out centuries ago. We were not expecting to be graced by the presence one of the illustrious children of Eranos."

Ayva looked at the young man who spoke. "You must be Rogue Cheney, Master Sting's partner and advisor."

"I am. And what is your name?"

"I am Ayva Stryt."

"Welcome to Sabertooth, Ayva. Sorry about my rudeness earlier." Sting said, laughing nervously.

"It's fine. I've gotten used to it. Sixteen years of being stared at can do that."

An air of awkwardness hung about the guild hall and Sting cleared his throat. "Well, I um..." He looked at Rogue. "I suppose we should get to business. But first, we have a room prepared for you if you haven't already made arrangements."

"I would be grateful for the hospitality, so long as I am not a burden upon your guild."

"Of course you wouldn't be."

Ayva nodded. "Then I accept."

"Well, then, please follow us. We can go over the details along the way."

Ayva nodded, following after Sting and Rogue, their little cat companions at their sides.

"So, basically, we received information about a dark guild called the 'Hellcry Devils' that's been terrorizing people up north. We've sent some of our own to deal with them, but they came back in pretty rough shape. We reached out to the Stonevale Rangers, hoping you guys could help us deal with the guild. We could use the extra muscle."

Ayva tried to hide her surprise when the dark guild's name was spoken, grateful that she was behind the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth. "Understood."

"Miss Ranger Lady?"

Ayva looked down at one of the cats, the one in the pink spotted frog costume who spoke. "Yes, little one?"

"You look sad. Are you OK?"

Ayva nodded. "I'm fine, little one, don't worry."

The little cat smiled, seemingly reassured. "Good! I'm Frosch, by the way. And this is Lector!"

Ayva knelt down to shake their paws. "It's good to meet you both. Tell me, what manner of cat are you? I've never met any that can speak as well as you do."

"We're Exceeds!" Lector said.

"Exceeds?"

"Yup!"

"We can fly, too!" Frosch added.

"We use aera magik." Lector explained.

"I see. I can fly, too, though my magik is much different than yours." Ayva said.

"Really? I bet your wings are really pretty, just like you!"

Ayva smiled at that. "Perhaps I can show you some time."

"Really?"

"By the way, Ayva, I was wondering what kind of magik you use. I've heard that the Stonevale Rangers typically stick with magikal weapons, but a few are casters." Sting asked.

Ayva stood and looked at him. "I use transformation magik similar to take over magik. I'm a shapeshifter, if you will."

"Wait, you're the Shifter of the Stonevale Rangers?"

Ayva nodded. "That seems to be the wizard name given to me over the years. I've grown rather fond of it."

"You're, like, the rising star of the Rangers."

"Then we are lucky to have you with us, indeed."

Ayva shrugged. "I suppose. My guild could have sent someone much stronger, though they felt this would be a good learning experience for me."

"Ayva, you're a legend around here!" Sting said, grinning. "I'm almost tempted to ask you to come join Sabertooth!"

Ayva looked at him surprised. "I didn't realize that my reputation had proceeded me so much. Thank you, sir."

"Well, here's your room."

Ayva stepped inside and set her pack down.

"Will this be alright?"

Ayva nodded. "This will be fine, thank you."

"Why don't you settle in and we can go over the information we've gathered tomorrow?"

"If that's your wish, then of course, sir."

"If you need anything, Rogue and I are at the end of the hall- he's on the left and I'm across from him."

"Of course, sir. If you wouldn't mind, as there is no way to determine how long we will be working together, I was hoping I could explore the guild hall and get used to my new surroundings? I'd rather not get lost."

"Of course, feel free to look around."

Ayva bowed. "Thank you sir."

Sting and Rogue looked at each other, bowing in return.

"Sure thing. We'll leave you to settle in."

Ayva looked around the room, grateful the Sabertooth guild was so hospitable.

"Miss Ranger Lady?"

Ayva looked behind her. "Frosch, right?"

It nodded. "Ya."

"What is it, little one?"

"Why do you look so sad?"

Ayva's eyes widened for a moment before she sighed and looked away. "There's no hiding anything from you, little one, is there?"

Frosch smiled. "Nope!"

Ayva went to stand by the window of her room, looking out over the city.

"Wanna talk about it?"

Ayva looked down as Forsch climbed up onto the chair by the window and smiled a bit. "You're a sweetheart, Frosch. Rogue is lucky to have you as a friend."

"He's my best friend!" Frosch looked at her. "I bet you have lots of friends."

Out in the hall, Rogue had noticed that Frosch wasn't with him so he turned back and looked for him, stopping in the hallway just outside of Ayva's room when he heard his friend's comment and Ayva's reply.

"I don't actually."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't have any friends, little one. Everyone seems to avoid me, keeping their distance whenever they can unless they have to force themselves to be near me."

"Is that why you're so sad?"

Ayva sighed. "In part, I suppose it is." She looked down at the little exceed. "But I've been alone for a long time now, so I'm used to it."

"Well, Frosch can be your friend!"

Ayva looked down, a small smile growing. "That's sweet, Frosch." She picked up the little exceed and hugged it. "Thank you, little one." She looked up when a knock sounded at her door. "Oh, Rogue, is everything alright?"

"I couldn't find Frosch, but it would seem that I have nothing to worry about."

"Sorry, Rogue."

"It's alright. Come along, now, we should leave Ayva be."

Frosch hopped out of Ayva's arms and hurried over to Rogue. He looked at Ayva and smiled, waving. "See you later, Miss Ranger Lady!"

Ayva watched as Rogue and Frosch left, her smile fading as she turned back towards the window. 'You're such a sweetheart, Frosch, but it's better if I'm alone.'