The days in Tempest grew warmer, though not from any change in the weather. Velzard's presence had begun to blend seamlessly into the life of the city. Her cold demeanor softened, not dramatically but in ways noticeable to those who dared to interact with her. Children no longer ran at the sight of her, and her frost no longer lingered as a warning.
Despite this change, Velzard remained cautious. She was still the mighty Ice Dragon, and old habits were hard to break. But Tempest had a way of eroding barriers, one smile, one kind gesture at a time.
A Sudden Storm
The peace of Tempest was shattered one evening by the arrival of an unexpected storm. The skies darkened unnaturally, thunder rolling across the land like the roar of a furious beast. Soldiers rushed to the walls, and Rimuru, sensing the disturbance, teleported to the central square, where Benimaru, Shion, and the rest of the core leaders were already gathered.
"What's going on?" Rimuru asked, his tone sharp.
Benimaru pointed toward the horizon, where a swirling mass of dark clouds and lightning approached at alarming speed. "It's not natural. This storm... it feels alive."
Rimuru's eyes narrowed. His senses picked up a powerful magic signature within the storm—a presence that rivaled even Velzard's.
As if on cue, Velzard appeared beside him, her icy aura cutting through the tension. Her eyes were fixed on the storm, her expression unreadable.
"It's her," she said simply.
"Who?" Rimuru asked, though he already had a sinking feeling in his gut.
Velzard's voice was colder than usual, a sharp edge in her tone. "Velgrynd."
The Crimson Dragon
The storm reached Tempest's borders in minutes, and with it came a blazing heat that clashed violently with Velzard's frost. Emerging from the storm was a figure wreathed in flames, her crimson wings spread wide and her fiery hair whipping in the wind.
Velgrynd, the Flame Dragon and Velzard's sister, landed gracefully in the main square, her presence exuding power and authority. Her piercing golden eyes scanned the gathered crowd before settling on Velzard.
"Sister," Velgrynd said, her voice like a crackling fire. "It's been far too long."
Velzard stepped forward, her icy aura intensifying. "What are you doing here, Velgrynd?"
Velgrynd smirked. "I could ask you the same thing. The mighty Ice Dragon, content to play house with mortals? It doesn't suit you."
Rimuru, ever the diplomat, stepped between them with a raised hand. "Ladies, let's not turn this into a family reunion from hell. How about we talk this out?"
Velgrynd's gaze shifted to Rimuru, her expression one of mild curiosity. "And you must be Rimuru Tempest, the slime that's been causing such a stir. I've heard much about you."
Rimuru grinned. "All good things, I hope."
Velgrynd's smirk widened. "That remains to be seen."
A Tense Exchange
The air between Velzard and Velgrynd crackled with tension—ice and fire battling in an invisible war. Rimuru could feel the pressure mounting, and though he trusted Velzard to keep her cool, he knew this was no ordinary sibling spat.
"Why are you here, Velgrynd?" Velzard asked again, her voice sharper this time.
Velgrynd folded her arms, the flames around her dimming slightly. "I came to see what could possibly hold your attention for so long. You've been absent from the affairs of the world, sister. That's... unlike you."
Velzard's eyes narrowed. "I don't answer to you."
"Perhaps not," Velgrynd replied, her tone casual. "But Veldora is wondering where you've been. And so am I. You've always been the one to uphold our duties, yet here you are, wasting time with these creatures."
"They are more than 'creatures,'" Velzard shot back, her voice carrying an icy edge. "And my choices are none of your concern."
Before Velgrynd could retort, Rimuru stepped forward, his expression serious. "If you're here to fight, I'd recommend thinking twice about it. Tempest isn't a place for senseless destruction."
Velgrynd tilted her head, her golden eyes narrowing. "You have quite the nerve, slime."
"Call it confidence," Rimuru replied, his tone steady. "Or maybe just a strong sense of self-preservation."
Velgrynd regarded him for a moment before laughing—a rich, fiery sound that echoed through the square. "I see why my sister is intrigued by you. You're amusing."
A Fragile Peace
To Rimuru's relief, Velgrynd didn't immediately attack. Instead, she seemed content to observe, her fiery presence keeping everyone on edge. She wandered through Tempest with an air of curiosity, her sharp eyes taking in every detail.
Meanwhile, Velzard kept a close watch on her sister, her icy demeanor masking the turmoil within. Velgrynd's arrival had stirred old wounds and reminded Velzard of the burden she had carried for so long—the duty to their creator and the loneliness that came with it.
As the sun set and the city settled back into an uneasy calm, Velgrynd approached Rimuru, who was overseeing repairs to a few buildings damaged by the initial storm.
"Your kingdom is impressive," Velgrynd admitted, her tone almost begrudging.
"Thanks," Rimuru said, not missing the hint of respect in her voice. "We've worked hard to make it what it is."
Velgrynd's gaze shifted to Velzard, who stood nearby, her icy aura a stark contrast to the warmth of the setting sun. "She's changed," Velgrynd said quietly.
Rimuru nodded. "She's found something here she didn't know she needed. And maybe you will too."
Velgrynd raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You're bold, Rimuru Tempest. But we'll see."
The Storm Lingers
Though Velgrynd didn't make any overt threats, her presence was a storm waiting to break. Velzard, for her part, remained steadfast, determined not to let her sister's arrival disrupt the fragile peace she had found in Tempest.
But Rimuru couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The threads of fate were tightening, drawing the two dragon sisters—and by extension, Tempest—into a larger conflict.
As the stars filled the night sky, Rimuru stood on the balcony of his castle, his thoughts racing. Velgrynd's arrival had brought more than just heat; it had brought questions about Velzard's past, her future, and the unseen forces that continued to shape their lives.
And in the distance, the storm still loomed, waiting for its moment to strike.
