DISCLAIMER: The following is a work of fiction containing elements not belonging to the author. These elements belong to their respective owners. Any similarities with other stories by other authors, either living or dead, is purely coincidental.

The city of Geffen is known as the city of magic. So it comes to no surprise that a great number of people living there or walking trough its streets know the use of the magical arts.

The people of this city are also very powerful. This can be attributed to two things. One, the magic taught here is very powerful. Second, powerful monsters nest near the city. So, by necessity, the people there must learn to defend themselves.

Though, not all of Geffen's inhabitance are magic wielders.

A young woman with light brown hair reaching past her waist walked through its circular streets. She greatly admired the city's architecture especially the infamous Geffen Tower. Though she didn't like most of the mages around. They can be really aloof sometimes.

The young woman's name is Kat. She was Pronteran by birth, but she moved to Geffen because of her job. She was a crusader, one of the best and most powerful. She considered her assignment to Geffen a blessing, as not only could she train herself on the many strong monsters close to the city, but she could also perform to the fullest her duties as a crusader and as a member of a renowned guild.

Walking outside the city's walls, she headed south towards where the Geffen agits stood. She then proceeded to the agit of her guild…

…the Ragna-league

The Ragna-league was a relatively new guild, but it was one of the most popular and most want-to-be-in guilds. Even after five attempts they have yet to lose their castle to rival guilds.

Another reason of their popularity was their guild policies. None was too weak for their guild, and everyone recognized the potential of fellow guildsmen. As such members were encouraged to assist fellow members in a variety of ways. Some senior second job members even have novice or first job level apprentices under their wings. This made her very happy, as Kat herself was once an apprentice to a knight.

All the same, guild members are always told to help all others who were in need. Members of the Ragna-league can always be seen aiding overrun parties, lending a hand to novices, and many other acts of charity, valor and kindness.

They were like keepers of peace and justice in this troubled land. (Kind of like what the Jedi should have been.)

As she neared their agit's entrance, three female thieves came into view. She recognized them as members of the guild…

"Sorry, miss, only guild members are allowed in today."

…unfortunately, they didn't seem to recognize her as a member of the guild as well.

"It's alright; I'm expected by your guild master." Kat said.

She tried to walk past the three but was blocked again.

"I'm really sorry, miss, but the guild master did not say anything about visitors for him and he gave us strict instructions not to let anyone pass."

"I'm sorry, but I'm running a little late so…"

In a blink of an eye Kat disappeared. The three thieves looked around and saw that she was a good distance away from them and heading towards the agit main building. She was moving very fast, considering she was wearing a gown. The three gave chase, barely catching up to her.

"They're quite fast." Kat commented on her pursuers. "They must be Karim's students."

As Kat got close to the agit's main building, a blur of purple fell before her. She looked up and saw a female assassin standing stiffly. Short purple hair flowed down to her shoulders, almost blending with her suit.

The three female thieves finally caught up with Kat. They were panting heavily and were very tired. They looked up and saw the assassin.

"Mistress…Karim…ah…she…ha…tried…hah…to…"

"You chased her all over the court yard?"

The three nodded.

"So?" the assassin asked Kat.

"So?" Kat returned the question, not knowing its meaning.

"What do you think of my apprentices?"

"They're quite good. Needs a little more work on the speed, though."

The three thieves' heads moved back and forth, following the exchange.

"Mistress, do you know her?" one of the thieves asked.

"Yes, don't you?" Karim asked.

To this the three shook their heads.

"Does the name 'tigress' ring a bell?"

The three gasp and looked at Kat, who was blushing in embarrassment.

'Tigress' was the name given to Kat by her peers and rivals. On the battlefield, she was cunning and powerful. Her strategies were almost always without flaw and her speed and prowess could match even that of an assassin grandmaster. Off the field, she was cheerful and cordial. A kind hearted young woman, though still bearing the inner fire of a warrior.

Many say that she has no equal, but Kat knew otherwise.

The only one who can best the tigress was the wolf.

"We apologize, mistress. We didn't recognize you."

"It's alright. Please, don't trouble yourself. I should have told you who I was anyway."

Kat tried to stop the three from apologizing too much. She never did like too much attention.

"Alright, you three come inside and get yourselves cleaned up. I'll just send someone to put up a sign. The meeting would be starting soon."

The three thieves went into the agit leaving the two senior members.

"It is good to see you again, Kat."

"You, too, mistress Karim."

"Please, cut the formalities. You are one of the founding members of the guild."

The conversation continued as they entered the guild house.

Within the agit's council chamber sat four of the Ragna-league council's six members…

…Psyke, the red head wizard guild master…

…Dugs, the blacksmith and in-charge of the guild's finances…

…Maria, the priestess who was the relations advisor and chief physician…

…and Joan, the huntress-military planner of the guild.

The four were going over their plans for the next guild wars. This would be the sixth time they would be defending their guild house. Their opponent was a well known guild and was considerably tougher than their old opponents. They had to plan well if they wanted to keep their agit.

The council room's door opened and in came two people. On was the assassin/head of intelligence of the guild, the other, the guild's top general.

"Kat!!! Huggies!!!"

Upon seeing the mocha haired girl, Maria run towards Kat and gave the girl one of the infamous death hugs she called 'huggies'. Even with her speed Kat wasn't able save herself.

"Ugh…mistress…Maria…please…"

"Maria, let her go. We need our top commander." Psyke said as soon as he noticed Kat's face turn blue.

The priestess let go of the near unconscious girl, but not without a disappointed look. But being the bubbly person that she was, the same came back in a matter of seconds. The newcomers took their seats and the meeting continued.

After a few minutes, the council heard a loud thud. They turned and saw Kat fast asleep. She was snoring and snorting quite loudly and drool was sipping from her mouth.

"Was I that boring?" Dugs asked.

Maria promptly roused the young crusader. Kat immediately woke up and saw the five staring faces of her superiors.

"I…I'm sorry, masters. It won't happen again"

"Its okay, Kat. This is the first time this ever happened in the three years since the guild was formed." Psyke said, still surprised that the usually prim and proper girl he knew was capable of such loud nasal blares.

Joan then noticed something.

"Kat, are you alright? You seem a little tense."

Kat looked at huntress.

"I haven't been sleeping well, mistress. I've been having dreams."

"About what?" Karim asked.

"Jays."

At the mention of the name, the other council members looked at each other. They knew the Wolf. He was part of the seven man party that would eventually become the founding members of the Ragna-league. He was the one who came up with starting the guild.

He would have been part of the council, had not fate chose to end his life so early. The seven of them, Jays, Kat, Psyke, Maria, Karim, Dugs and Joan, were searching for the emperium they would need in Glast Heim. They accomplished their goal and were about to return home when a dark entity attacked them. The enemy was too powerful and they had no choice but too run. Their attacker gave chase and soon they were pinned down. They were all weak and drained, and Kat was severely wounded.

Jays gave up his life so they could escape. He would have also, but their dark attacker did let him. It slew him as they portaled out…

…and Kat saw it happen.

"Dreams pass in time." Psyke said.

He knew it wasn't the most sensitive thing to say, but ever since Jays died they promised never to let Kat be troubled by these memories. She was like a daughter to them, and they knew her old master would have wanted it.

"I know master, but these dreams are different." The young woman said, wrapping her arms around herself. "I'm always left with a bad feeling. It's not about the dreams; it's something elsewhere…elusive. I feel as if something bad is going to happen."

As if on cue, the room's doors burst open and a young bard came in.

"Masters, something bad has happened."

The council members entered the infirmary and saw a severely wounded acolyte. Dirt, cuts and bruises covered her face, arms and legs. Her clothes were nothing more than rags and were missing an entire left sleeve, exposing a broken arm. Several priests and acolytes were tending to her

"Hanna, what happened to you?" Maria rushed to the wounded girl, realizing she was one of her students.

"Mistress…please…help…them." the girl said weakly.

"Help who?"

"Glast…Heim…Abysmal…Knight…still…five…left…"

At this Joan ordered a nearby swordie. "We have a 'broken arrow'! I need a rescue party ready for immediate insertion. They have to be equipped to handle the evacuation of five people"

"No…" Hanna's voice sounded again. The others looked at her.

"Not…five…people…five…parties."

AUTHORS NOTES: Wow!!! I finally got this out. I hope you don't mind some of the references from Starwars. I just liked the of an order like the Jedi.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it.