Hey guys, Puzzle here! I'm publishing this chapter a day early, and a bit prematurely, as I'm attending a wedding and might not have the means to publish it tomorrow on time. In addition, I'm afraid I have several chunks of bad news.

First off, I'm afraid I have to make the weekly update an update-every-two-weeks kind of thing. I simply don't have the time to make my chapters to their greatest potential when I'm trying to rush myself. I'm trying to hold myself to a better standard of writing, even if it takes longer to do so. I'm sorry about the delay, but I'm not doing my characters, or you, justice this way.

Another thing... The beginning of this chapter was something I really wanted to do... And it fell apart. I had it planned out well, but I simply couldn't focus. I just finished a stressful time of year, and with the State Fair approaching, my tension is through the roof, including how much time I have to spend riding to prepare my horse. The first chunk simply isn't to par with the rest, and I apologize for that.

In better news though, I have been inspired to start a few new fanfics, though they take lower priority than Guildless does. Hopefully, I can give all my babies the love they deserve!

Thanks to LilNightmare and Dragonlady for reviewing!

It had been a week now.

Ayrae hadn't dreamt of Kyja or her past for a week, allowing her to relax- yet she couldn't. Nothing of note truly occurred, but Ayrae couldn't help holding her breath. She knew the peace wouldn't last. Shadow would come, and she knew what Diviner could do.

It was the night of her eighth day back with the guild that she found a surprise. After a long day of working at the 8-Island restaurant, Team Natsu was slumped around a table in the guild hall, Natsu asleep and snoring while slumped against Lucy. The blonde had long since overcome her anxiety over the situation, sipping at her drink, though a light blush still colored her cheeks. Erza grinned like a child, delicately eating a piece of strawberry cake while Wendy was chatting with Happy and Carla. Gray and Ayrae seated together as usual, Gray currently chugging down a cold drink (thick with alcohol) as Ayrae twirled her cup, watching the water swirl inside, embarrassment of her inability to drink still overpowering.

Hours had passed, everyone laughing and eating until it was nearly nighttime. Lucy, gently sliding out from underneath Natsu so not to wake the Dragon Slayer, she looked to Ayrae. Asking with a strangely rehearsed tone, "Ready to go home?"

Ayrae raised an eyebrow. "You're planning something."

Lucy looked away nervously, denying guiltily, "No! No way!"

Ayrae stood, squinting at her. "Yeah, you're hiding something. Spill it."

Happy shook his head. "You gave it away, Lucy."

Lucy protested, "Hey, she figured it out. It's not my fault!"

Erza sighed, setting down her fork. "I suppose we have to come out with it now."

Ayrae looked between them suspiciously. "What the hell are you all planning?"

Erza stood, smiling. "A little surprise."

Wendy grinned, grabbing Ayrae's wrist and tugging her toward the door. "Come on, we've been working on it for a few days now."

Ayrae let the young girl tug her away, looking back at the others questioningly. "So... you coming to the mystery?"

Gray smirked, albeit drunkenly, standing and tossing his mug into Natsu's head, waking the pinkette effectively. "Hey, you freezing freak! What was that for?"

Gray smiled. "Ayrae's new-"

A solid arm of metal clanged against his head, the ice mage collapsing, sight spinning with stars from Erza's blow. Erza quickly caught up with Wendy and Ayrae, draping an arm over the latter's shoulders. She casually insisted, "We should move quickly, it will take a bit to arrive at our destination. Oh, and no boys."

Ayrae, looking with eyes wide in terror at Gray, meekly agreed, "Great idea..."

It was a short walk, but it was delayed by the fact that Erza insisted on blindfolding Ayrae. No one questioned Erza had a blindfold in her requip line-up, but most wouldn't dare ask. Instead, they just giggled and whispered while Wendy tugged Ayrae up the path.

The scarred girl didn't especially like the limitation- she wasn't used to darkness she couldn't see through. Luckily, it was over quickly, the girls pulling her into a building and up a set of stairs before-

"Welcome home."

The blindfold was pulled away, Ayrae blinking at a dorm room in Fairy Hills. Sparsely decorated, it consisted of wooden plank floors and walls, the large room filled with a four-poster bed, the light blue sheets plain. A small chest at the foot of the bed, a room off to the side she assumed was a bathroom. A stand by the bedside, it was mostly empty, a single window gazing down on Magnolia on the far side.

Ayrae turned to the others after surveying the room. She asked in puzzlement, "Did you guys..."

Levy grinned. "Yep! We all pitched in! It's not much, but your first payment is taken care of."

Lucy winked. "I figured you might be getting tired of my couch."

Ayrae had been looking at apartments in Magnolia to rent out, never suspecting something like this. She couldn't explain the rush of pleasure she felt that they all were so dedicated to welcoming her back home. She quickly grabbed onto Lucy and Erza, pulling them into a hug, the others falling in. Ayrae closed her eyes, smiling. "I love it. Thank you all, so much."

Erza chuckled. "Just remember, it's 100,000 jewel a month."

Ayrae laughed in reply. "That's right, money. I still have to get used to buying stuff again."

Lucy assured, "We'll help you start out. After all, we still together in Fairy Tail."

Ayrae smiled. "That we do." Yet she knew what was coming. Shadow wouldn't wait much longer, and if it endangered the guild... she wasn't sure if their die-hard loyalty would be enough to defeat them.

The next morning, it was a pack migration from Fairy Hills to the guild, the girls all waking up at once, all in a group. Ayrae refused to let her sleepless night show- despite Kyja's lack of intrusion, rest still refused to come to her. Still, she smiled and laughed, all the way down to the guild with the morning light shining through.

Walking into the guild, Mirajane and her younger siblings had already arrived, Makarov currently sitting on the top railing of the guild, raising a hand in greeting. "Mornin', girls."

Mira smiled kindly, agreeing, "It's beautiful outside, isn't it?"

Several girls nodded in agreement as they plopped down in several booths, waiting for the rest of the guild to filter in. As more arrived, Gray emerged, still nursing a bruise on the head from Erza's brutality. Immediately seating himself next to Ayrae, he asked, "How was the surprise?"

Ayrae smiled. "I loved it. I assume-"

"No, I didn't help pick it out," Gray immediately looked away. "I just... suggested a color, tossed a bit of money in. Everyone did."

Ayrae put a hand on his leg. "Well... Thank you."

Gray still wouldn't look back, keeping his blush hidden. "Yeah... You're welcome."

Natsu suddenly burst in the door, shoving the doors nearly off their hinges, yelling almost incoherently before racing off to the job board. Yanking one off the board without bothering to read it, he raced to Mira and slammed the job flyer on the counter. "This one's gonna be great!"

Gray managed to get the color to fade from his cheeks to ask, "So, do we ignore the idiot or see what he's pulling us into?"

Ayrae put a finger to her chin, tapping it thoughtfully. "Hmm... To keep him out of trouble, we probably need to go."

Gray nodded in agreement, the two getting up in succession, moving to Natsu. Mira, currently entering the job, asked, "You guys want something before you go? Sounds like hunting Vulcans could be a long day."

Ayrae shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Thanks though, Mira."

The white-haired girl smiled widely, tilting her head. "Well, have a good time!"

Ayrae smiled in response, before diving over the bar and shoving Mira into the wall. Forearm pressed against her throat, Ayrae's free hand was pointed at Mira's head, shadows swirling around her hand.

Instantly, the guild was on their feet. Natsu glared at her, demanding, "The hell are ya doing, Rae?!"

Gray's mind immediately jumped to Kyja possessing her, yet no glow had overtaken her eyes. The same black glared at Mira mercilessly.

Elfman growled, "Let her go, Rae! Start acting like a real man!"

Mira whimpered, "Wh-What's wrong?"

Ayrae hissed, "You think I'm that gullible?"

Erza raised a sword, uncertainty flickering in her eyes as she looked between the two of them. "Ayrae, back away."

Ayrae shook her head. "Sorry, can't. You see, this isn't Mira."

Mirajane gasped, "Big brother..."

Ayrae rolled her eyes. "You really should do your research. Elfman is younger than Mira."

Suddenly, Mirajane grinned darkly, chuckling. "What gave it away?"

Ayrae shrugged. "Several things. The way you smiled, how you moved, offering me a drink when alcohol leaves me flat on my ass."

Mira straight out laughed, loud and hearty. "Oh, I'll have to do better next time!"

Ayrae flung her across the room, Mira suddenly transforming. In a puff of red smoke, she turned into a tall, dark-haired girl. A red tube top and skimpy skirt were her only clothing, matching the blood red Demon's Shadow emblem that crossed her entire face. The wings' joint at the bridge of her nose, the red wings spread across her copper skin, her eyes seeming to flicker between colors.

Skidding on bare feet, Ayrae blasted her down without difficulty, planting a solid boot on her chest. To the awed guild, she introduced, "Everyone, meet my deranged old guildmate, Doppelganger. She uses Imitation Magic."

Everything suddenly connected all at once- Ayrae had known the entire time it had been Doppelganger.

The rest of the guild pulled closer, looking down at the Demon's Shadow girl. Erza, keeping her sword hefted, didn't look away as she addressed Ayrae: "I'm sorry we doubted you. We should've-"

"It's okay," Ayrae shook her head. "You had good reason to be mistrustful."

Doppelganger giggled, "Having trouble settling in, little sister?"

Ayrae sighed. "We're not related, Doppel. You've gotten worse." Doppelganger's magic had always left her a bit... unstable on her own identity.

Doppelganger's wide eyes flickered face to face. "Nope. I'm perfectly fine. Just lots of killing to get to."

As Ayrae mulled over Doppelganger's existence there, Natsu's brain was trying to keep up, Erza weighing options. Others whispered among themselves... But Gray could barely tear his mind away from Doppelganger.

This... This is what Rae could've been. They could've made her into someone as psychotic as this, but she'd resisted. She'd withstood this.

Ayrae shook him out by growling to her ex-comrade, "The hell are you doing here, Doppel? You know you can't beat me."

The Demon's Shadow wizard smirked darkly. "Yeah... But I came to speak to my queen... Lady Kyja?"

Ayrae's eyes widened as her hands wavered, fighting the influence of the demon. Eyes flickering between glowing and not, Gray's hand snaked to her elbow, her black eyes reigning supreme. With a small smile to him, she assured, "Kyja's not taking any messages right now, Doppel."

The copy cat rolled her eyes. "Suuure. Little sister, you know Kyja's wrath will rain down with or without your agreement."

"Tell you what- let's strike a deal-"

"No!" Ayrae immediately looked to the others. "Never trust their deals. Demon's Shadow wizards are held to their word by Kyja's Law, but they're experts at finding loopholes."

Erza murmured, "Wasn't considering it, but thanks for the tip..."

Doppelganger sighed. "It's a shame, then. I wanted this to go smoothly." A triumphant grin took over her face. "Speaking of smooth... How're the scars?"

Ayrae's eyes widened for a moment, eyes flickering red with the flash of rage in her chest. Her free hand tracing the edges of her scars, she replied shortly, "Better than they used to be."

Natsu glared at Doppelganger, demanding, "Is this the one who did that to you?"

Ayrae nodded slightly. "While I was escaping, Doppel tried to stop me."

The Demon's Shadow mage giggled. "I just wanted to give you something to remember us by- a token, a memento... A way to track you through sightings, should you actually make it out of the compound. A few minutes later, you're running off into the sunset and we have a way to identify you."

Ayrae pushed down harder on Doppelganger's chest, her boot leaving an imprint. "And one of these days, I'll thank you for nothing."

Doppel gave her a mock-smile of sincerity. "Oh, you do care, little sister!"

Ayrae scoffed, turning back to the main subject. "Are you so cocky you actually thought you could come in alone and awaken her?"

Doppel suddenly had a dark glint to her eyes. "Oh, no. I wouldn't presume such a thing."

Realization fell heavy as lead, Ayrae whirling, Doppelganger forgotten. "They're here, it's a-"

A thick purple mist was suddenly flowing through the air, like a horrible fog seeping into their lungs. Suddenly exhaustion swept over them in a wave, one by one, the Fairies collapsing into a deep sleep.

Yet Ayrae stayed on her feet, looking out with horror over her guildmates. Yet at seeing their breaths remain even, she composed herself. Taking a deep breath, the purple mist didn't seem to have any effect on her.

From every window and door of the guild, Shadows were emerging, watching her carefully. One walked through the front door, the doors falling from their hinges as he approached. A tall, plain black staff in his hands, blood-red hair spiked upward, he smiled- which was more akin to a devil than a human. In a silken voice, he greeted, "Shade... Wonderful to see you, dear."

Ayrae surveyed her surroundings warily. "I'd say the same, except I hate you."

Diviner shook his head, clicking his tongue condescendingly. "Now now, let's not become too bitter over the past, dear. I simply would like to talk."

Ayrae narrowed her eyes. "I don't feel like talking."

Diviner chuckled. "Oh, not to you. And if you truly feel that words are not appropriate, you're free to attempt fighting all of us. Of course..." He hefted his staff. "I can't guarantee a few Fairies wouldn't be hurt in the crossfire."

Ayrae quickly stood down with the threat, insisting, "I still won't let you talk to Kyja."

Diviner frowned. "Don't be like that, Shade. You know very well we have an important end goal to reach."

Ayrae shot back, "And I'm not about to help you."

"Oh, you really should reconsider." A tall woman with sleek, long white hair walked calmly up behind Diviner, leaning against him. Her hair tied back with a blue ribbon, her dark blue crop and feathery skirt clinging tightly to her curvaceous figure, her eyes a chocolate brown. Several gold and silver keys hung around her neck on a chain. "It's been too long you've been away from home, darling."

Ayrae glared. "Celestia. I see you're still Diviner's private bitch."

Celestia's eyes flickered dangerously. "Tread carefully, Shade... I faked your death once, I can end your life in reality as well."

Ayrae snorted. "So, would you actually have the guts to do it, or did you just come here to boast?"

Diviner chuckled. "After all the years, has it still not sunk in that we are willing to do anything for Lady Kyja?"

Ayrae suddenly smirked victoriously. "Yeah, I've picked up on it. And that's exactly why I'm going to win today."

Diviner arched an eyebrow. "I've seen how today will end, Shade. Victory is not the word I would use for your fate."

"Only because your prophetic powers aren't what they used to be. You've been too busy building your offensive magic."

Diviner threatened, "Would you like to see my improvement?"

Ayrae's smirk never wavered at the words. "Please, if you were going to knock me out, or kill me, you would've done it at the same time as my guildmates. No, you need to minimize light guild interference. After all, you remember the last time Demon's Shadow incurred the wrath of the light guilds. We still tell the stories of how only Kyja and a handful of her followers escaped the massacre. You wouldn't want to have that again, would you?"

As Shadows whispered amongst each other, remembering stories of a war between Shadow and several light guilds, wary of their recent loss, Ayrae locked her eyes on Diviner. "Besides, the ritual of Kyja's possession requires someone reading from her book of their own free will. You need my cooperation."

Diviner let out a hearty laugh. "You? Apparently, you haven't been recieving my messages."

"Oh, I have. Every time you sent someone to get me, they always remind me you don't need me alive- all you need is Kyja. My panic takes over, giving you the advantage of my being irrational." Her smirk suddenly was gone, her face deadly serious as she stared down Diviner. "A good bluff, but I won't be fooled anymore. You need me just as much as you need Kyja."

Diviner's cocky smile wavered, though he maintained his imposing demeanor. "Oh? And where did you come up with such a theory?"

Ayrae admitted, "About three minutes ago, when you didn't simply knock me out and cut my throat. No, you're looking to either take me by force, using my guildmates as leverage or make a deal."

Diviner chuckled. "You always were pretty bright, my dear. However, I'm afraid we aren't bargaining today."

Ayrae had presumed as much. Still... "I expected that, but I think you'll want to change your mind when you see what you're risking." Black knives materializing in her hand, she immediately pointed them to her own neck. Eyes narrowed, the knives' tips grazing her skin, she continued, "I think I can make it worth your while."

Suddenly, tension was palpable. Shadows shifted, inching closer as Diviner's smile shattered, terror overcoming his calm. "You wouldn't!"

Ayrae smirked. "I knew it. You promised Kyja she would have me years ago... If you kill me, you'll have to organize a new Trial, collect new prodigies, train them- it would take years. Kyja isn't that patient." Ayrae barked out a cold laugh, allowing her rattling voice to hide how her hands shook. "No, Kyja doesn't like broken promises. If I die... Well, you might as well dig your own grave, Diviner. It would be less painless than what she has in mind, and I would know."

Shadows still inching closer, Ayrae pressed the knives closer to her neck. "No way, back off! Anyone makes a move, and it's over for all of us. Years of running in circles made worthless." That made them all freeze in place.

Diviner no longer attempted to hide his rage. "You little-"

"Actually, I'm not so little anymore, Diviner. Now, here are my terms. You're going to leave Fairy Tail alone- never touch them, never threaten them, and never harm them in any way. No death in Fairy Tail can ever come from a Demon's Shadow wizard, or any of your flunkies."

Diviner narrowed his eyes at the Fairy Tail stamp on her chest. "I assume you're trying to work yourself into that deal- force us to leave you here? I'm afraid that isn't an option. No agreement will be reached unless both you and Kyja return to Demon's Shadow."

Ayrae nodded solemnly. "I'm aware." She bit back the emotion in her throat as she announced, "If you agree to my terms, I will freely read from the Book of Kyja and accept her spirit."

Diviner's smile returned, the man offering a hand. "Then we have reached an accord.""

Ayrae's knives dissolved as she shook Diviner's hand, a shockwave of cold overtaking her body, starting at each of her lacrima. Kyja had sealed the bargain- now, neither of them could escape it. She could only remind herself, My life isn't equal to a single one of theirs, but it's just enough to save them all.

Shadows fell into a circle around her as she remembered how she'd spoken to Lucy the morning after her attempt to run away.

"This is my home, and I'm not leaving for a long time. I've accepted my fate."

Lucy smiled, chiding, "Hey, well don't sound excited! You make it seem like a death sentence!"

Ayrae shook her head. "No, I make it sound like it is."

She had meant it when she told them she wouldn't run. Running wouldn't save them. No, she needed a real solution, something to protect them at all costs.

That night, she had decided her own fate. The last few days, she had contemplated her options, yet Kyja's visions had solidified her plan.

Fairy Tail would survive, though Ayrae was due to suffer a fate worse than death.

Her old mantra... I'm not a monster. Not yet. Not until tonight...

She could only hope they could forgive her before she lost herself to the monster within forever.