~*****~

The next morning, we all boarded the train-- much to Natsu's dismay, as he seriously did not want to leave the warm embrace we put ourselves in. The train ride didn't last long and we trekked the rest of the way on foot. "It's been a nice walk so far," Wendy comments happily.

"Yeah! And this weather is amazing!" Lucy sighs.

"Especially with this breeze," Erza agrees.

"Kinda feels like we're all goin' out on a family picnic, doesn't it?" Happy hums.

"Perhaps it would, if it weren't for those two." Carla mentioned.

I sighed as I glanced back at the two already arguing. "YOU ATE MY JERKY, ADMIT IT!" Natsu roared to Gray.

"AS IF I'D EVER EAT ANYTHING YOU TOUCHED!" Gray bellowed back.

They shoved their faces against one another, glaring heatedly. "SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND PUT A SHIRT ON!" Natsu roared again.

"IF THERE'S SOMETHIN' YOU DON'T WANNA SEE, THEN STOP LOOKIN'!" Gray shouted.

I sigh again and palm at my face. "Simmer down, you two," Erza orders. "Master asked you to behave yourself around this client."

"I tagged along so I could help with that, but honestly? I'm not sure that's even possible," Lucy sighed.

I snort loudly. "No kidding. It's like trying to pull apart two squirrels fighting over the same nut." I yawn lightly and start walking again.

"Okay, so if I remember everything correctly, the Ten Wizard Saints are chosen by the Magic Council, but how does someone get to be an Emperor of Ishgar?" Lucy asks. "The same way?"

I nod with a hum. "Master Makarov and Lamia Scale's Jura have been Wizard Saints for years. Jose of Phantom Lord once held this title, but was stripped of it. For that matter, so was Siegrain when he left the Magic Council." I explain. "But the Wizard Saints are far from equals. The four strongest among them are called Emperors of Ishgar."

"M-Maybe we should just go back to the guild," Lucy whimpered as she held onto Ballad in a tight grip.

"What's Ishgar?" Wendy asked.

"One of the names of this continent." Erza mentions.

"So, one of the strongest wizards around, needs help from these dorks?" Lucy murmured as she peered back at Gray and Natsu still bickering.

"I HOPE ERZA BITES YOUR FRIGGIN' HEAD OFF!" Natsu barks.

"YEAH, WELL, I HOPE SHE RUBS YOUR HEAD IN DRAGON CRAP!" Gray retorts loudly.

"WELL, I HOPE SHE--" Their argues get swallowed as they start arguing louder and louder with each other.

"Why does it feel like I'm the one being insulted here?" Erza asked dryly.

I sigh again. "No clue." I mention irritably.

"Is that the place?" Ballad called out. We all shot our glances over curiously.

"Oh, I think you're right!" Wendy agreed. "Up there on top of that hill! See it?"

"Good eyes, you two," Erza hummed.

Lucy let out a soft sigh. "We finally made it."

"How do we know that's the place?" Happy asked.

"We looked at a map," Carla retorted.

"So this is the home of Warrod Sequen, huh?" I mutter. "Thought all those dudes with fancy titles lived in fancy houses."

"No kidding! Dude lives in a hovel!" Natsu comments.

"Talk about shabby," Happy mentioned.

"I was about to say that it reminds me of your place," Lucy commented.

"Hey, I put a lot of work in removing the brush from the house," I retort irritably.

We cautiously pushed open the door of the house. "Is anyone home?" Wendy called out.

"We've come from Fairy Tail," Erza announced. "About the job request?"

Happy hummed in awe. "This feels like our garden back home, miss!" Ballad commented.

"Excuse me, sir!" Lucy called again. There's a soft shushing from the back. Lucy flinches in shock. "Sorry!"

"Hush," What I assume is Warrod states firmly. "Be silent, will you?" We all glanced at one another nervously. "Plants prefer peace and quiet. So do me a favor and kindly shut your wretched mouths!" I snort lightly in response. "Aw, just kidding!" Light begins to pour from the ceiling, blooming all sorts of flowers in the room. There was true beauty in nature, there was no doubt about that. "C'mon, kids, it was just a joke! Lighten up! It's my belief that plants and flowers adore the sound of human voice!" Warrod laughed joyously.

"A tree?" Lucy murmured.

"He's definitely not as funny as he looks," Gray comments irritably. "You're tellin' me this guy's a wizard saint?"

"I bid you welcome, wizards of Fairy Tail." Warrod greeted with a friendly tone. "Thank you for traveling such a long way. Now tell me, who amongst you are called Natsu and Gray?" The two stepped forward, radiating anxious energy. "My goodness! You're a bit more feline than I imagined!" Warrod exclaimed as he held up Ballad and Carla. Warrod began giggling. "Got you again! You're so gullible!" He began laughing happily.

"Well, at least he cracks himself up," Lucy commented.

"I dunno, I think he's funny," I mention as I smile.

"He's still laughing at that?" Gray asked.

"So, can we make fun of him, or--" Natsu starts.

"Absolutely not," I retort. "This guy would probably destroy us if you did."

"All that laughing's got my thirsty," Warrod chuckled. He tipped his watering pail into his mouth, drinking deeply.

"Pardon me, but we seek an audience with a Wizard Saint by the name of Sir Warrod Sequen, and need to know if we've found him," Erza comments.

"Yes," Warrod hums. "You now stand before Warrod Sequen, in the bark.... Nah, I'm just screwin' with you." My face drops. So who the hell was this? "Just kidding again, it's really me!" I slumped forward.

"This old man's a real piece of work," Gray commented.

"You can say that again," Natsu grunted.

"Should we... take a seat?" I ask in a pained tone. "All this is hurting my brain."

~*****~

"I'm retired now. And since retiring, I've spent my days bringing the deserts of this land back to life." Warrod explained as we all sat outside for some tea.

"Retired, you said," Erza hums. "Can I take that to mean you belonged to a guild once?"

"Yes, and a great guild it was," Warrod smiled. From his palm, a pretty flower sprouted. "But that was a long time ago. These days, my allegiance is to nature. Every retired man needs a hobby. Mine is turning deserts into forests. As you can imagine, I've seen many peculiar things traveling about the deserts of this land. Most recently, I came across a village hidden in the mountains. As it turned out, I had read about this place before. Known as the Village of the Sun, it's people worship an ever-burning flame as their guardian deity."

"Whoa, you actually found it?" I ask curiously. "I thought it was supposed to be well hidden."

Warrod smiled kindly. "When you get to be my age, you have all the time in the world to wander, my dear."

"They've got a fire that never goes out?" Natsu asked, bringing the conversation back on topic.

"They do. But when I got there, the whole place had frozen over. Be it by nature, or the folly of man. Every person, plant, and creature. All the buildings, too. The river was solid ice. Even the sacred flame of the village was frozen, though it burns on, even now." Warrod explained.

"It's possible to freeze a flame?" Lucy asked, bewildered.

"Oh, that poor village," Wendy murmured.

"I have no idea what happened to the people there. However, one thing that was clear to me is that they're still alive." Warrod stated.

"I thought you said they were all frozen," Happy mentioned.

"None of this makes sense," Carla sighed.

"The people of that village are in dire need of help. They must be restored. That is why I called on you. Break the curse of ice. That is your task." Warrod explained.

Natsu slammed his foot onto the table, toppling his cup. "No problem! I'll just melt the stuff! Those folks are gonna be nice and toasty real soon!"

"If that's all you needed, then why'd you ask for both of us?" Gray asked.

"Because, this ice is far from ordinary. It will take more than fire alone to melt it." Warrod hummed.

I clutched my chin in thought. "Needless to say, we'll do as you ask, but--" Erza starts, gaining Warrod's attention. "You're one of the strongest wizards alive. Surely if we can handle this, then so could you."

"I believe you may be under a certain misconception about my rank." We all glance at one another in confusion. "Despite the heady title, we Wizard Saints are far from omnipotent. We're just ten people the council chose to put on top of a list. There are many wizards on this continent who surpass me. And there are wizards beyond this continent surpass even them. And when you look at it like that, I'm really no one special. As a matter of fact, I have almost no aggressive spells to speak of. In a battle of might against youngsters like yourselves, I wouldn't stand a chance."

"Even so." Erza hummed.

"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. This is what inspires wizards to forge alliances. And then form guilds. Wouldn't you agree, my dear?" Warrod asked.

I chuckle lightly with the others. "No wonder they chose you. You're one smart dude." I mention impishly.

Natsu and Gray slam their fists together, bearing wide grins. "We accept your job request!" Natsu exclaims.

"What he said!" Gray agreed.

"You can leave it to us!" Lucy chirped. "We got this!"

"We'll be glad to help!" Wendy beamed. "So, this Village of the Sun place, where is it?"

"About twelve hundred miles south, as the crow flies." Warrod smiled.

"Too bad we aren't crows," Carla sighed.

"Nonsense. The last I can do help you reach the village." Warrod explained. "Gather there, all of you." He pointed to the side. "Be sure that you aren't leaving anything behind."

"What's he gonna do?" Ballad asked.

"Perhaps he has some sort of magical vehicle." Carla hums.

"'Preciate it, but I'm just gonna walk," Natsu commented as he paled a bit.

"Yeah, I'll join you!" I exclaim shakily.

"Suck it up and do as he says!" Erza scolds us both. We whine unhappily before we're forced to join the others.

"Now, then, is everyone ready to go?" Warrod asked.

"Wait, so it isn't a vehicle?" Natsu asked.

"Pivot right!" Warrod ordered. We all turned on our heel to the right. "Just as gullible as always!" Warrod laughed. We all barked out in annoyance. "I leave this task in your hands, youngsters of Fairy Tail. Should you face yourselves in this journey, I ask you to look closely. Do this and you shall overcome whatever obstacles may fall before your paths." From beneath our feet, a tree sprouts, lifting us up above the ground, sending us soaring across the lands. We all cheered wildly, raising our arms in amazement. For such a renown man, he sure was humble about himself. And that made him all the cooler.

~*****~

The tree finally stopped and plopped us onto the ground. "I'm guessing we're here," Gray hummed.

"Yes, and it took no time at all, thanks to Sir Warrod's magic," Erza said with a smile.

"It beats walking, that's for sure!" Wendy chirped.

"A Wizard Saint's power is nothing to scoff at," Carla mentioned.

I suddenly felt the urge to barf. "Seriously?" Lucy complained as I cupped my mouth.

"Can't help it--" I murmur as I try to catch my breath.

"Look there! Those boulders!" Carla cried.

We approached the frozen waste land. "It's all frozen, just like the old man told us," Gray hums as I kneel down and press my hand against the ice.

"The Village of the Sun must be on the other end of this trench." Erza hummed.

"This ice has some magic traces in it," I mention lightly. "It's not a natural disaster, that's for sure." I explain.

"All right! Chow time!" Natsu exclaims. "Here's hoping they got more than cold dishes to serve!"

I sigh lightly, palming my forehead. "And once again, he thinks with this stomach rather than his head."

"Perhaps you could tell us a bit more about the magic in the ice," Erza states.

I break off a chunk of ice and pop it into my mouth. I grimace a bit and start trying to push it out of my mouth. "It tastes weird-- and it's not the Earth making it taste strange." I explain irritably. "The magic is all weird. It's ice magic, but it doesn't taste like normal ice magic." I stand up and dust my hands off. "Let's continue onwards, maybe we'll find the source of this magic."

We venture into the trench and the ice just gets thicker and thicker as we go, until we reach the apex, where the entire village is encased in ice. Not to mention, the place was huge. "It's hard to believe something could freeze an entire city and everything around it so perfectly," Lucy mentioned.

"Strange... Warrod said all the people were frozen, I don't see anyone around." Erza mentioned. "I wonder where they are."

"Don't know how you're missing 'em," I mention lightly. "The village is supposedly inhabited by giants." Everyone stops in their tracks as I point up at a tall frozen statue.

"GIANT?!" Natsu and Happy cry. They begin crying out giant, pointing out everything giant until he points at me and Wendy, saying Tiny.

"For some reason, I feel like we were the butt of a joke," Wendy mentions.

My brows twitch in irritation. "THEY'RE NOT TINY!" I bellow at Natsu.

"That old tree didn't say anything about giants!" Natsu cried, ignoring us.

"I'm sure he must've done that on purpose," Carla hummed.

"Or perhaps he thought since Aria knew of the village, that we did, too," Ballad retorted. "Maybe it's dry rot?"

"They're quite impressive," Erza hums as I knock on one of the giant's legs. "I never knew people like this existed."

"I think I found his dog!" Wendy chirped.

Ballad let out a cry before bolting to my arms. "Hello, nightmare fuel," Carla sighed.

"All right, then! It's time to give these oversized popsicles a wake up call!" Natsu chimed. He lights a fire on one of the giants feet. "A major case of hot foot will get him moving for sure!"

"You can do it, Natsu!" Happy exclaimed. Natsu continued to try, but to no avail. "Go hotter! Make 'im feel the burn!"

It took no time at all for him to figure out he couldn't melt it. "This ice is crazy! I'm pooped!" Natsu complained.

"Natsu, if you can't melt my ice, what makes you think you can melt this one?" I ask irritably. "Don't you remember what Warrod told us? This isn't garden-variety ice."

"No kidding. I've never felt ice like this before." Gray hums. "And you've got a point, the magic power is bizarre."

"So we can't melt from the outside or crack it from the inside?" Erza asks.

"Well, we already knew this wouldn't be easy," Lucy mentions.

"No way," Gray hums after a moment of feeling through the magic within. "I think I recognize the source of this magic power."

The hairs on my neck stand on end, making my gaze shoot upwards to the tops of the building, where a few people stand. "Well, well, well, some uninvited guests," The silver haired man hums. "Every job has its shockers."

"I didn't expect it to be kids and their pets, though." The middle man snorts.

"Get lost! Ya dig?" The bigger one barks.

"Who the hell are you to be bossin' us around?" I ask irritably.

"A treasure hunting trio, baby!" The silver haired man chirps.

"The Sylph Labyrinth Guild!" The middle man exclaims.

"Ya dig?!" The large one barks.

I hum and nod. "Well, didn't expect a serious answer, so that was kinda refreshing." I mention with a shrug.

"Why are you all so calm?" Happy asks. "Aren't you surprised that another guild's here?"

I shrug again. "It happens all the time."

"Yep." Gray nods.

"I've never heard of a treasure hunting guild," Wendy mentions.

"The title will probably tell us everything we need to know," Lucy retorts.

"Well, I guess it makes sense that even people like these guys would wanna be part of a guild, too." Wendy hums.

"Sorry, kids, but we've had dibs on the treasure here for a while now." The silver haired man mentions. "Why don't you go find your own."

"Not interested," Natsu retorted.

"Yeah, we don't have use for treasure!" I shout.

"I think we're just fine staying here," Gray added.

"Oh, ya think so?" The silver haired man hums. "I think you should leave unless you wanna be apart of target practice!"

"Not looking for treasure? There's gotta be something that got you to come all the way out here!" The middle man exclaims.

"Spill it!" The big man barks.

"We came to free all of the villagers!" Happy declared as he raised his paw. "So we're going to melt this crazy ice!"

All three men glance at one another before nodding and shouting. "Then you're totally here to get in our way!"

"I'm sure you've heard about the Eternal Flame that's burned in this village for centuries," The silver haired man snaps.

"Even among the most novice treasure hunters, the flame is considered S-Class treasure!" The middle man explains. "It's totally legendary!"

"Ya dig?" The big man hums.

"However, thanks to the giants that guard the Village of the Sun, no one's ever been able to get near it." The middle man mentions.

"But the big guys were frozen solid, and good hunters know opportunity when it knocks, ya dig?" The big man exclaims.

"So, now, we're taking the Eternal Flame and getting out while the getting's good," The silver haired man hums smugly.

"You can't!" Wendy exclaimed. "It's their guardian! The most sacred part of their village! If you take it away, it could destroy them!"

"Sounds like you're just a bunch of lowlife thieves to me," I mention irritably. "No decent treasure hunter takes at the expense of others."

The three men glance at one another again before shouting. "We're totally treasure hunters! Finder's keepers is the law of the land! And we live by it, whether you like it or not!"

"Ya dig?!" The big man exclaims. "Now scram!"

"We don't have time for playing around!" The silver haired man complained. "Let's just swipe the treasure and get outta here, before these wizards decide to butt in."

"Hate to break it to you losers, but that flame you're after is frozen solid, just like everything else in the village," I mention.

"Underestimating a treasure hunter on a mission is never a good idea," The middleman comments.

"Yeah!" The big one hums.

"The ice won't be any trouble. We can melt it all on our own, with our secret treasure." The middleman continues.

"You gonna make us guess? What is it?" Natsu asked.

The man holds up a small bottle with a smirk. "Liquid Moon Drip," The middleman states.

Natsu and Gray shout loudly. "That's a blast from the past," Happy comments.

"And it's just what we need! Lyon used it to free Deliora!" Lucy mentions.

"It's been fun!" The silver haired man exclaims as the three take off.

"See ya, losers!" The middleman shouts.

"Ya dig!" The big one laughs.

I peered at Erza. "Did you know it could be a liquid?" I ask curiously. She shrugs in response.

"Catch 'em!" Natsu bellows. "If we had that bottle, we could free the whole village and be done with this job!"

"Let's move! They're going to use all of the Moon Drip!" Erza exclaims as I rub at my head, wondering if that little amount could really do the job.

"NOT IF I CAN HELP IT!" Gray bellows as he surges after them.

I sigh irritably as Natsu and Gray run off, leaving a trail of dust behind them. I sigh again.