Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 29 - Siblings

The high-speed train gently settled back onto the tracks, the magnetic lacrima latching back together to lock the train on the rails. Yukino closed her book and set it back in her bag. Sting's assistants helped get him to his feet and off the train first, trying to keep it quiet. Everyone knew Dragon Slayers had their aversions of motion, but nobody needed to see a Captain of the Twilight Empire in such a state.

The station was bustling, as usual. It was built somewhat above ground but mostly below ground, burrowing through the dense earth surrounding Crocus. The high-speed trains took most of their passengers above ground, in the event of emergency, plus it allowed them to connect at stations such as this to others across Fiore. Regular passenger trains moving at good speed within the city were within what was being called subways.

Heat washed off the train from the massive friction caused by the lacrima's exertion of power. The metal was scorching to the touch, and engineers stood at the ready to perform their inspection.

Various magic signs floated around, offering guests recommendations on where to stay or where to go for the duration of their time in Crocus. The high speed train was still, even after a couple of years, a popular attraction. Air travel hadn't made its way to Crocus quite yet, but, Yukino had no doubt that once an airstrip could be properly brought in, the train would falter to becoming a quick method of Imperial travel only.

Businessmen, most former guild officials or those who worked under the Magic Council in some capacity, bustled around the place. Yukino helped Sting rise to his feet with some dignity and the two walked side-by-side toward the terminal's exit. Their bags were being taken care of and brought back to their tower.

Yukino caught the brief glimpse of a woman in a crop top with frilly white lace and a small skirt waving at them. She nudged Sting.

"Oh," Sting said. "I didn't realize we were expected."

Sorano strode toward them, flanked by a slew of reporters and followers not only of hers but who were obsessed with the siblings' status in the Twilight Division. Yukino's was a family that was arguably the most popular among the populace, given she'd married Sting, was married to the drop-dead dame Sorano, and was close with Sting's fraternal brother, Rogue. The four of them were enough to keep the eyes of the public hungry to see more into the Empire off of those like Neinhart, Invel, and August, as well as the horrendous machinations of someone like Zash Caine.

Never mind that Sorano was once a member of one of the most feared Dark Guilds before the Twilight Empire's takeover, what mattered was this intriguing little sect of Imperials.

"Well," Sorano said, hands on her hips. "That was certainly a peculiar series of events, wasn't it? Happy to be home."

"Peculiar is a way of saying it," Yukino said.

"Oh, what's wrong, sour puss? Bored, still?"

Sorano squeezed her sister's face to try and make her smile. Yukino rolled her eyes.

"Come now, dear sister," Sorano said. Her ravenous twinkle shot like a comet across Sorano's eyes. "I know there was something there that captured your attention. A busty blonde bimbo. Libra came to tell me about it."

"It's no longer my interest," Yukino said as Sorano dropped her hand. "Axel took her in, after she relented. I suppose the Fairies are breakable, after all."

"She's always been a bit weak-willed," Sorano said.

Sting raised his eyebrow at that. Everyone knew about Sorano's fall at the hands of Fairy Tail, but nobody talked about it. Until a few weeks ago, nobody had reason to talk about Fairy Tail at all.