That time I got reincarnated as a female true dragon

Chapter 18: The Final Showdown and Michael's Rise

The atmosphere around Tempest was thick with tension as the Eastern Empire prepared for one final, desperate assault. The previous failures had only emboldened Rudra, and he had now brought forth his full might, determined to crush Rimuru and the entire city of monsters under his iron rule. The skies darkened as their forces approached, and the battlefield crackled with anticipation.

At the heart of Tempest, Rimuru stood alongside Veldora and Velriza. He could feel the weight of the impending conflict, knowing this was a battle that would determine the future of his nation — and possibly the world.

"I've had enough of these Empire attacks," Rimuru muttered, his eyes narrowing as he gazed toward the horizon. "They never seem to give up."

Veldora laughed heartily, crossing his arms. "Well, they'll regret messing with us today! Let's show them the power of two True Dragons together!"

Velriza, standing beside her brother, glanced at him with a smile. "I'm with you, Veldora. But don't get too reckless. Remember what happened last time you got overconfident."

"That was a fluke!" Veldora protested, puffing up his chest. "Besides, with the two of us, there's no way we'll lose."

Rimuru couldn't help but smile at the banter between the two dragons, but his focus quickly shifted as he sensed the approach of an all-too-familiar presence. Velgrynd. She was coming, and with her, the massive army of the Eastern Empire.

"Here they come," Rimuru said quietly, his voice calm but alert. "Be ready."

The sky split open as the Empire's forces descended upon Tempest like a storm. Massive airships hovered in the distance, and on the ground, legions of soldiers marched toward the city. But the most alarming presence was the blue-haired figure flying at the forefront — Velgrynd, her fiery aura blazing with power.

Velriza's expression hardened. "Velgrynd."

Rimuru nodded. "I'll handle Rudra. You and Veldora deal with Velgrynd. Don't underestimate her, even if it's two against one."

Velriza glanced at him with determination. "We won't."

With that, Rimuru took to the skies, flying toward Rudra's command ship, while Velriza and Veldora prepared to confront their sister.

The air sizzled with tension as Velgrynd descended, landing before her siblings with a controlled, almost regal grace. Her eyes burned with intensity as she sized them up.

"So, it's come to this," Velgrynd said, her voice cold and commanding. "Two of my own siblings, standing against me."

"Velgrynd," Velriza began, stepping forward, "this doesn't have to end like this. You don't need to fight for Rudra. We can stop this senseless battle right now."

But Velgrynd's eyes were filled with an unwavering resolve. "You don't understand, Velriza. I've already made my choice. Rudra's dream is my dream. And I will see it through, no matter the cost."

Veldora scoffed. "Hah! Dream or not, you're about to get a wake-up call, sister. You're not the only True Dragon around here anymore."

Velgrynd's gaze shifted to Veldora, her eyes narrowing with disdain. "You've always been arrogant, Veldora. It's time you learned your place."

Without warning, Velgrynd unleashed a torrent of flames, her fiery magic scorching the ground as it surged toward them. Veldora and Velriza leaped back, narrowly avoiding the attack.

Velriza's eyes flashed with determination. "So be it."

The battle between the three dragons erupted in an explosion of raw power. Velgrynd, with her mastery of heat and fire, lashed out with searing blasts that scorched the earth and sky. But Veldora and Velriza, combining their strengths, fought back with equal ferocity. Veldora's lightning crackled through the air as he unleashed a barrage of draconic energy, while Velriza, harnessing her immense power, countered Velgrynd's flames with devastating force.