Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 20 - Mirajane vs Torafuzar

A long shadow loomed down the corridor. Soft footsteps echoed, slowly. Torches flickered at her presence, and the doors to the dark chamber opened, revealing green candlelight upon the pentagram walls, tiny bookshelves, and a single, bloody desk meant for study.

Mard Geer Tartaros set down his book on the desk. Shadows enveloped it and the desk absorbed it, keeping it hidden. Safe.

"You must sense it too, then," Mard Geer said, his eyes meeting Kyoka as he maneuvered around toward his chair.

"Torafuzar is in danger," Kyoka said. "It's unprecedented."

"Not entirely," Mard Geer said. "By Imperial standards. Either we have a traitor in our midst, or some rebel has decided to at last make themselves known. Either way, it does not look good for our Division."

The doors closed behind Kyoka. "Not at all, yet, Torafuzar will be back should something happen to him. This is a matter of slight embarrassment. We can kill the slaves there, ensure no word escapes of what has transpired."

Mard Geer took his seat, folded one leg over the other, and pondered the idea.

"And rid ourselves of, if indecent, workers?" Mard Geer asked. "The work cannot be delayed per our associates in the Twilight Division. And yet..."

And yet what would be more important, in the long run of the Empire's reign? Burning a few Alikitasian cities to the ground, to continue their already-obvious dominance over there? Or exposing a potential great foe of the Empire? At any time, Alikitasian upstarts could be brought under heel. But few wizards remained to challenge Torafuzar's power. That princess, Hisui, perhaps, and Jellal.

But if either were to rise up and fight the Empire, it would be Kyoka reporting to Mard Geer. It'd be Invel, perhaps even August. Whoever this upstart was had no serious name to them, leaving it out of the hands of those who couldn't be bothered with trivialities.

"Allow me to go stamp this out, Lord Mard Geer," Kyoka said.

Mard Geer sneered at her obedience. "I appreciate your sentiments, Kyoka my old friend, but do not appreciate the doubts you place in dear Torafuzar. I have a better idea, though. Regardless of the outcome, this foe that is opposing Torafuzar has a level of strength unseen for years. I believe that power is best used, not made null, don't you?"

Kyoka raised an eyebrow and rested a hand on her hip.

"What are you proposing."

Mard Geer shifted his position in his seat before standing up, running a hand over his dark throne.

"Stay here," Mard Geer said, striding by Kyoka. "My mind is racing for the first time in quite a while, and I'm in quite a need for entertainment."

***

Mirajane couldn't let up her pursuit, pushing through the gusting winds toward her prey. Torafuzar blasted out of the ground and caught Mirajane's fist as she soared at him. Mira flipped over him and kicked out. He blocked, attempting to parry her, but stumbled a bit. Mirajane landed in front of Torafuzar, standing between the demon and the sea.

"I see," Torafuzar said. "Modicums of demonic power on your own? Fascinating. You'd have made a worthy ally were it not in the hands of a fool wizard."

"You'll pay for what you've done to these people!" Mirajane shouted. "Evil Explosion!"

She cupped her hands and then released the magic on Torafuzar, who swung his arms together in an attempt to block it, getting punished back further into the hill as he did so. Mirajane roared more of her magic out, summoning further and further while her rage clawed at what was in her soul. She saw nothing but red, and thought of nothing but the pain she could inflict on this demon.