Zahn Skye

Zahn had a fairly normal childhood. His parents weren't the greatest and he'd always talk about leaving home as soon as he could. He had several older siblings, but only one younger. His sister, named Alura. He managed to get through some magic schooling before he dropped out and left home (on somewhat bad terms with his parents). He became a wanderer and traveled about doing odd jobs for people for a good while. Then the war happened. It was years ago but the horror of the events surrounding the fierce battles still remain fresh in Zahn's memories. All of his older siblings fought in the war and were killed, and his younger sister inherited the family name after disowning Zahn. She claimed that as her brother he had failed to perform his duties to protect their family and that she no longer wanted him to share their name. He left, but took both his first and last name with him and defiantly claims to be a member of the Skye family to this very day.

After the war ended Zahn took up work as a mercenary. He enjoyed the work enough, as it let him travel, sleep whenever and wherever he wanted and allowed him to fight strong people. However, once the Magic Council reorganized themselves to become "protectors of the ways of magic" they started forcing mages to join Guilds or be hunted. Zahn, who valued his freedoms above almost all else, took personal offense to this and went underground. He cut all ties with the people he used to know and while he still uses his full name to introduce himself, he tends to keep to himself out of precaution. He has battled several times with low level Dark Guild members (remnants of Dark Guilds crushed by the Council), low-to-mid level Magic Council members (who he fought to remain Guildless) and Guild Mages of all levels except Masters.

Eventually, he earned a bit of a reputation in his hometown as a troublemaker and outcast. Branded the Guildless Skye by the Magic Council and others, Zahn continues to wander about trying to find a safe haven for him to just be himself. His isn't known for being a powerful mage or great fighter, so he's never had to worry about being a target of attacks but he likes his nickname all the same and uses it whenever possible to try to gather some reputation. Zahn's personal mission in life is just to live as freely as possible and he figures that by having a reputation as someone able to stand on his own he can do just that.

Sigh...

Zahn strolled along in his cloak, mentally saying the word sigh to himself, realizing that he looked incredibly suspicious here in Magnolia. Especially with the hood of his cloak pulled up to cover his head. He knew Magnolia was smaller than Era or Crocus, the two towns he had frequented most of his life, but damn there was really nothing here to stop him from stick out like a sore thumb.

"Maybe I should just take this off and carry it. Though, I suppose my normal attire isn't that much less conspicuous."

Zahn continued to grumble to himself when he heard an explosion and caught a whiff of smoke.

Oh, well, that's just freakin' perfect! An attack on a building. A building right near me! Wonderful. I bet anything the Magic Council is nowhere to be found and no one else is going to come along! Well, better go check out the commo-

Suddenly, he caught wind of a conversation between two people and their mutterings of how Fairy Tail was at it again. He quirked an eyebrow and shook his head in wonder, throwing up his arms in exasperation.

Fairy Tail, huh? Hrm, no wonder the Magic Council is always complaining about them. That sounded like a powerful boom, and must've taken out something. However, from what I hear that's pretty normal for the mages from that guild. They're all absurdly powerful monsters. Even their girls are tough. I've heard of Titania and seen a lacrima recording of her in action. The Demon, Mirajane, is also a member there and she's pretty famous as well and no just because of her looks. Meanwhile, I think at least three Dragon Slayers belong to Fairy Tail and a member of the former Phantom Lord's elite 4. Or at least, that's how it used to be... When I was a kid...

Zahn smiled a little glumly, lost in his thoughts.

"I hope I never have to fight against any of them. I know the Magic Council dislikes their rowdiness, but they are harsher on the Guildless than any of the people who at least try to follow their insane Magic Laws."

Zahn thought of the Seekers and the Paladins. New additions to the Magic Council in their war against the darkness of the wizarding world.

"... and against its freedoms..."

Suddenly, Zahn felt a presence behind him and leaped forward just before a fist came down and smashed the ground he'd been standing on. The fist was ethereal and looked powerful, so it must've taken someone with at least a decent amount of magic power to conjure it. Zahn cast his eye on his attack and to his disgust and irritation found it to be one of the Seekers. Servants to the Magic Council and its heavy-handed justice against those it perceived to be a threat to the wizarding world. Worse than dogs, they hunted down their prey with the single minded determination of zealots.

"And here you are... standing before me. I suppose it was only a matter of time before I was chosen to be the next sacrifice for 'peace and stability', right? That's what you claim the Council brings to this world?"

The Seeker said nothing, but readied for battle. From what Zahn could tell, this Seeker was female and slightly older than he was. Her mask made it impossible to be certain but the lithe form and way she carried herself spoke volumes to him. While the Council wasn't always aggressive the Seeker must've overheard Zahn talking about his Guildless position and the comment he'd made about the oppressiveness of the Council.

"Fine. I've a thing for hurting those who deserve it anyway. Now that you've picked me as your opponent, your luck's run out."

The Seeker attacked, a pulse of magic shook the air around Zahn and threw him back into a wall, causing him to cough up a bit of blood. This girl was powerful, as was to be expected from a Seeker. However, Zahn wasn't a weakling and could carry himself in battle as well. Now was a good a time as any to prove it to the world. Standing up, Zahn lowered his hood and unfastened his eye-patch, letting his heterochromic eyes focus their gaze on the female Seeker.

"You didn't kill me with the first attack. That might cost you your life, Councilor."

The Seeker scoffed at this, confirming she was a woman. And then Zahn smirked and turned around.

"Goodbye, loser. You just made the mistake of your life."

The ground collapsed beneath her and the Seeker fell into the ground, hopefully where she'd be for a good long while. Zahn didn't think a drop into the underbelly of the city would kill a Seeker, but one could hope. The Seeker hadn't been targeting him specifically, that much Zahn now knew for certain. If she had, she would've known about his magic. Jinx Magic. A powerful weapon for someone like Zahn, who was always focused on his next move. The woman had caught him off-guard, to be sure, but her mistake was letting him live to make a move. The Magic Council didn't kill for no reason, at least usually, so Zahn had the advantage when fighting their servants. After all, Zahn would do anything to survive, even in a world as wretched as this one.