I realize that it's been a while since I made a chapter for this story, but life got busy and this story is just a side project so it's not going to be updated unless I have a lot of free time. I only have a few hours, but I'm just going to put a chapter so you know that this story isn't dead.

I won't be taking OCs and this story will most likely only be a few chapters because it's a side project and side projects are only a few chapters long, but I often go overboard with them, so we'll see. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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Saber Tooth

The famous guild of Saber Tooth was an elite guild that selected only the strongest of mages. Every year the guild hall was flooded with people trying to join the guild with only a handful of people actually being considered and an even smaller amount of people being accepted. This year was no exception.

Gemma viewed the newcomers with contempt, viewing them as little more than scum that would only bring the guild down through their weakness. He sat in a luxurious lounge chair in the very back of the guild's main hall and he viewed the group of mages gathered before him. Gemma was smiling inwardly as he surveyed the crowd, noting how large it appeared to be in comparison to last year.

Saber Tooth's guild master was actually looking forward to this year's test. It would be much harder and he didn't expect anyone to survive it. He quickly stood up from the chair and spoke with a voice of such importance and strength that everyone stopped talking to listen to him.

"Listen up! As of right now, you are all worthless trash that should be thrown away. All of you are seeking to join our glorious guild, but very few of you actually possess the strength necessary to join us. This year's test will be different from the tests from the past." roared the guild master as nobody said anything.

Gemma looked around the guild, satisfied. He could tell that they were all shaking in fear. He continued with his speech.

"In order to join Saber Tooth this year you must identify a dark mage from the dark guild known as Nox and kill them! That is the only way you shall be admitted to this elite guild! Bring Nox's guild ring as proof and you shall be welcomed! Go, scum, and let's see if you have what it takes to join us!" shouted Gemma as everybody rushed out of the guild to hunt down a mage from Nox.

Gemma grinned as he watched everybody leave. Nobody in the crowd could possibly defeat even the weakest mage in Nox. Gemma sat back down in the lounge chair as members of Saber Tooth entered the guild hall, talking with each other and selecting jobs. The guild master's eyes were closed as he relaxed in the chair. Despite being the guild master of the strongest guild in Fiore, he was worried about the position his guild was in.

Just a few days ago Dobengal, one of Saber Tooth's top ten mages*, disappeared while on a job. He was found yesterday, dead, a note attached to his body. The note stated that mages from Nox that specialized in murder known as, "Killers of Nox," would be coming to kill members of the guild. Gemma was no fool. He knew this was a serious threat. Gemma stood and everybody in the guild immediately turned to look at their master.

"I've sent the fodder to thin out the opposition. However, we can't expect much from trash, so everybody must be alert! We are Saber Tooth and we will not be intimidated by this petty act of violence! Crush the enemies for we are supreme!" he shouted as everyone let out a roar of agreement.

"Drink the sea, crack the sky, shake the earth! We are Saber Tooth!"

…

Fayth left the guild feeling depressed. The young female mage with long red curly hair thought she could join Saber Tooth through the normal way, but her hopes had been dashed by a strange guild called "Nox." She had never heard of them before.

She sat on the steps outside of the guild and sighed. She had really wanted to join Saber Tooth because a friend of hers was actually in the guild, but it looked like it would be more difficult than she had anticipated. The fact that she actually had to kill somebody made it worse. Could she really kill somebody just to join a guild? Her thoughts were interrupted by a cheerful voice from behind and she looked behind her to see her friend coming down the steps.

Fayth smiled as Bailey joined her on the cold marble steps of the guild. The guild was located in the middle of the city and the city square was deserted. Fayth could see Bailey's guild stamp on her left arm and Fayth couldn't help but feel jealous. Bailey was older than Fayth, but they had known each other for a while. Bailey was the opposite of Fayth in terms of appearance. Bailey had long black hair and brown eyes while Fayth had long red curly hair and emerald green eyes. The two envied each other, but Fayth envied Bailey's membership of Saber Tooth the most.

"Did you talk to Gemma about joining the guild?" Bailey asked, Fayth making a sad face.

"He talked to us about it, but I don't think I can get in this year…" she said sadly as Bailey frowned.

"Yeah, I know. This year will be tough, but you can get through it, Fayth. I know you and I know that you're not someone to quit on something because it gets difficult." said Bailey determinedly as Fayth shrugged.

"I don't know, Bailey. Everything seems easy in comparison to this challenge. I'm just going to think about it at home." said Fayth quietly as she stood up, Bailey standing with her.

The two walked down the stairs and Bailey was about to walk home with Fayth when suddenly a deep voice called after them. Bailey turned to see a muscular man in a navy blue fur coat at the top of the stairs.

"We need to train, Bailey. Come on, let's go." shouted the man as Bailey nodded her head, turning to Fayth.

"Sorry, Max wants me to train with him a bit. Just consider going through with this, alright?" asked Bailey as Fayth nodded her head, turning away from Saber Tooth's guild building to walk home by herself.

She couldn't stop thinking about what Saber Tooth's guild master had said the entire way to her house. She would have to kill…again.

…

This chapter is definitely a rough chapter and I apologize for that. I just couldn't figure out a convenient angle to describe anything. Chapters for this story will be pretty short and I hop you enjoyed reading! FF