Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 36 - The Final Game

Lucy thought she'd have to be the one waiting up in the gardens for Levy, yet as she turned the corner around a powerfully scented thicket, there she found Levy sitting on a stone bench with a book bearing the Imperial seal of approval on its cover. She had a gray overcoat on with the lapel of the Twilight Division on its left side. Her dress underneath was a flowing black, similar to Lucy's, yet Lucy had no other articles of clothing besides it. It was strange for her to be out and about with nothing to carry or bring around, but Axel had full possession of her things.

Levy only noticed as Lucy sat down. She startled and closed the book, quickly. The cover didn't appear to have any words, yet, the glasses that Levy was taking off probably helped her read. Levy set the book down, then squeezed Lucy's hand. Lucy wanted to dive into Levy's arms for a hug, but, the walls were always watching.

"This is unbelievable," Lucy said, holding Levy's hand with both of her hands. "How are you here?"

"It's a long, long story," Levy said. She drew forth her Light Pen and weaved the word Silence on the bench. She flicked her wrist, and the words bubbled up and burst over them. "Phew. Okay. Now we can speak freely." She eased back and reached for her book. "They've had me reading this thing nonstop. Rules, regulations, all sorts of stuff about the Empire. Hisui would love it."

Lucy's jaw slackened and she glanced around.

"That silence makes it so no one can listen in unless I want them to," Levy said. "Honestly it's one of the few good things I've learned from the Empire."

"You're apprenticing?"

"Not really by choice but yeah. August, the Captain of the Twilight Division, came and recruited me. He said I would be a valuable asset to the Empire. What a dream come true, right? At least he's been training me. It's been only a few days but the amount I've learned from him is astounding."

Levy handed Lucy the book. All of the writing was indeed invisible until Lucy placed her hand on one of the pages and the words appeared, scrambled.

"There's a code word you need to read it," Levy said. "Kind of activates the book."

"So, Hisui wouldn't be able to use it without the code word, or another copy," Lucy said.

"I could try working on making another, but they're really tight about this." Levy gestured at the book and said, "Ankh."

At once, the words formed into sentences Lucy could conceivably understand, even though what she was looking at dictated the Imperial mandates on states and cities that get folded into the Empire, and how they are to be handled. Lucy sighed.

"So, recruited, but still looking to help the little guys?"

"Just doing my part. But what about you and this Axel guy?" She sneered and nudged Lucy with her shoulder. "How come I've never heard of him?"

Lucy rolled her eyes and groaned. "I don't know what I was thinking, Lev. Just had to act on instinct and save everyone."

"Must've been pretty desperate for things to be like that," Levy said. "How are you holding up now, living with him? Sl...eeping with him?"

Lucy almost vomited. "Absolutely not. We sleep in different rooms and I've only kissed him twice."

"Oh, kisses?"

"Had to get what I want somehow." Lucy sat up, hands resting on her knees, as she stretched her back. "I'd like to say I met my quota for the year on that, though. But what about you? Twilight Division, eh? What, did they finally unshackle you and let you walk around?"

Levy raised an eyebrow. "What'd you mean?"

"You said you were recruited. Come on, Levy. You were the member of Fairy Tail that was kidnapped, right?"