Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 19 - The Storm Shall Wash Away Fear

A powerful gale of wind burst up and around Mirajane. If this'd been a few days ago, she'd have her hands slapped down on her legs to cove her dress. However, work under the Twilight Empire forbade dresses, even the more modest ones. Mirajane, Levy, and Lisanna had been properly fitted with no more than rags and old, dusty trousers from workers who'd died on the job. Levy's clothes were a touch large for her while Mira hated the fact that hers fit well.

They were uncomfortable to work in, not at all breathable, and hardly flexible enough for some of the tighter quarters they had to squeeze into when fixing up the airships. Levy was small enough to get in there, anyway, and learned, quickly, how to fix and get around some of the problems of the ships. She didn't enjoy the work but enjoyed the learning process involved.

As such, she was left away from Mirajane and Lisanna, who cared less about the handiness of it all and more about the servitude they could provide. People were keeling over and dropping all over the place all the time, and new workers were brought in heaps to replace them. Mira did all she could to keep them standing, providing either emotional or physical support when they needed it.

What little she was afforded to sleep she took great advantage of, getting in the quick bursts before she and Lisanna were summoned back to work.

Soon, they were called away from the work involved with the airships directly and began to work out in the fields, clearing away space for a new landing strip as well as maintaining the old one, which had been worn down over the years and needed proper maintenance. Mirajane hated this work, as there was nowhere to hide if she had to help someone out.

All she could do, instead, was work even harder and faster, infusing her base form with more magic power to move swiftly and strongly through her assignments. This did not go unnoticed, evidently.

She was smacked in the back by a guard's cane and ordered to follow him. Lisanna took over where Mira left off, the poor girl being worked near to death but trying to keep a strong face for her sister and the others.

Thus far, neither of them came up with a good window of opportunity of when to make a move and try and free the people. Leading a mass exodus like that would no doubt catch Imperial notice, especially with a heightened presence on its way for Sorano and Neinhart, Generals of the esteemed Twilight Division. Even Torafuzar, a General of the Tartaros Division, bowed to them.

The guard led Mirajane to one of the offices in a hangar where Torafuzar waited, staring out at the ocean lapping aggressive waves. A storm was on its way, coming in from the sea. The guard shoved Mirajane inside and gave her a slap on the butt on his way out. Most of them did that, touching her butt or groping her when she was working.

"Your work has proven invaluable, and I am glad you've taken my message to heart," Torafuzar said. He lowered his scaly scowl on her. "Good. Fortune shined on us that you would come here, little wizard."

"I'm no wizard."

"No human has the stamina to withstand the grueling hours and efforts you pull off," Torafuzar said. "You and that little one. Your sister, I imagine." He leaned against the window sill. "Continue to prove your strength and you may even be useful to the coming generals."

"My work is here."

"Your work is where the Empire deems you necessary," Torafuzar said. "Even if we cannot see the full breadth of your magic, any amount of strength may be useful. A good display, to show the upstarts of Alikitasia that even the groveling slaves of Fiore are strong."

Mirajane said nothing but did raise an eyebrow.

"Would I be needed to...fight?"

"Fight. Postulate might. Whatever they deem necessary. But they must be shown an example. After all, it's why they're sending Sorano, of all Generals."