The Storm Kingdom's throne room was vast, lit by blue-white lightning veins that pulsed through the walls like living arteries. The air buzzed with energy, the scent of rain and thunder never leaving this place. On the throne sat Veldora, majestic and sharp-eyed, wearing the calm poise of a king who had weathered countless storms. By his side stood Velzard, regal and serene, her icy aura spreading a cool balance against the storm's wild heat.
Below them, lined like shadows of death, were the transcendent demons—Diablo with his ever-charming yet unsettling smile, Testarossa with crimson eyes burning with cold intellect, Ultima fidgeting with restless energy like a child waiting to break her toy, and Carrera smirking while cracking her knuckles against her palm, the ground trembling faintly from her presence.
Floating invisibly above them all was Saiki, spooning coffee jelly from his cup with a bored look, though his eyes betrayed a sharp awareness of everything around him.
Veldora leaned back in his throne, his eyes closing for a brief moment as he reached out through the currents of thought. His telepathic voice echoed across the continents.
Far across the frozen wastelands of the Ice Continent, Guy Crimson stood in the middle of a glacier plateau, crossing blades with his two faithful maids, Rain and Misery. Their duel was sharp, ice dust scattering as magic flared at every strike. Suddenly, Guy stopped mid-motion, eyes narrowing, sword frozen in mid-parry.
Rain blinked. "Lord Guy?"
Misery's tone was flatter. "Something's reached you."
Guy smirked, a flash of crimson light dancing in his eyes. "Not just something. Veldora."
Rain frowned. "The Storm Dragon?"
Guy nodded and lowered his blade. "When he calls, it's never small. Looks like our training ends here." He turned to his maids, his grin wide and dangerous. "Stay here. If things go south, you'll know. Until then, enjoy the peace. You won't see much of it soon."
Before they could reply, Guy opened a crimson-black rift, stepping through without hesitation. The ice plateau howled shut behind him.
Elsewhere, in a golden palace carved into cliffs, Milim was happily stuffing her face with a feast of meat, sweets, and everything in between. Her cheeks were puffed like a squirrel, eyes sparkling with simple joy.
"More chicken!" she shouted with her mouth full, and attendants rushed to keep up.
Then she froze. Her eyes widened, the playful sparkle replaced by something sharper. "Oh. Veldora!"
She dropped a half-eaten drumstick, jumping up from the table so suddenly the entire feast wobbled. "Big fight incoming, huh? I knew today felt exciting!"
Middray, her ever-loyal subordinate, looked startled. "Lady Milim—do you want me to accompany you?"
She grinned, shaking her head. "Nope! If Veldora's calling, it's serious. But also…" she clenched a fist, her aura bursting around her like a pink hurricane, "…it means it's gonna be fun!"
And with that, she shot into the air, vanishing in a swirl of energy that rattled the palace walls.
In the Empire's throne room, Velgrynd stood beside Rudra, discussing strategies with calm authority. Her crimson-gold hair glowed faintly, her aura humming with heat. Suddenly, her gaze snapped sideways, sensing Veldora's voice in her mind.
Rudra's sharp eyes caught the shift. "Veldora?"
Velgrynd nodded slowly. "He calls us. Something has begun."
The Emperor frowned. "Do you require support?"
Velgrynd smirked. "No. This is not a matter of armies or soldiers. It is between storms, flames, and demons." She stepped closer to Rudra for a brief moment, her tone softening. "Do not worry. I will return."
Before he could answer, her aura flared into a brilliant blaze, fire-sigil wings spreading wide as the air warped around her. With a single step, she vanished into the ether.
The throne room stirred first with crimson light, as Guy appeared from his portal. His boots clicked against the marble as he strolled forward with his usual swagger, crimson eyes scanning the hall. He smirked. "Still dramatic as ever, Veldora. I like it."
Veldora chuckled deeply. "Would you expect any less?"
Next, a blast of pink energy erupted in the hall as Milim crash-landed with her usual lack of grace. "I'm hereeeeee!" she shouted, fists pumping in the air. Then she froze, spotting Velzard. "Oh! Hi, Velzard! You look extra pretty today!"
Velzard allowed the faintest smile. "Thank you, Milim. Wipe your cheek."
Milim quickly rubbed her sleeve across her face, giggling.
Then the room grew hotter as Velgrynd stepped out of a seam of blazing light. Her aura shimmered like fire on the horizon, filling the room with warmth and power. She looked around with a calm, piercing gaze, finally nodding once. "A full assembly."
Diablo bowed deeply, his smile sharp. "Lady Velgrynd. Guy. Lady Milim. Welcome."
The other demons offered their greetings in their own ways—Testarossa with a graceful nod, Ultima waving with a childlike grin, and Carrera cracking her knuckles with a hungry smirk.
The Storm Dragon stood from his throne, his cape rippling with the hum of energy. His golden eyes met each of them, one by one. The room quieted until only the crackle of storm energy remained.
"Thank you all for coming," Veldora began, his tone deep and commanding. "I will not waste your time with trivial words. You have already felt it, have you not? The air shifting, the world trembling. The one called Vorathis has begun to move."
Milim tilted her head, pouting. "He's the one behind all those weird battles, right?"
Veldora nodded. "Indeed. He has already taken the first step by sending his minions against Luminous, Draguel, Dino, Frey, and Carrion." His voice darkened. "He tested them. We were meant to watch."
Guy crossed his arms, smirking. "So he's measuring the pawns before moving for the kings."
"Exactly," Veldora said. "And we are next. I do not doubt it." He raised a hand, electricity dancing across his palm. "But I will not allow him to strike us one by one. That would be folly. No… we will face him together."
Velgrynd's eyes narrowed. "Together? You mean to pool our strength?"
Veldora smiled. "Yes. Vorathis is no common foe. His might exceeds Saphielle's. Alone, even the greatest among us could fall. But united—dragon and demon, flame and storm—we stand as a tempest no darkness can swallow."
Milim pumped her fist. "Yes! Team fight! I love team fights!"
Velzard's tone was calm, but her eyes glimmered. "A wise decision. He will not expect unity."
Guy chuckled darkly. "Then let's surprise him."
The demons behind them seemed to pulse with excitement, their combined auras humming like a storm about to break. Diablo's eyes gleamed dangerously, while Ultima was already hopping with impatience. Carrera muttered something about "finally blowing something up properly," while Testarossa only smiled faintly, calm but eager.
Veldora's voice boomed across the grand chamber, shaking the air like thunder rolling through the mountains. His golden eyes glimmered with both confidence and certainty as he rose from his seat.
"I have found a place," he declared, his tone commanding yet almost comforting at the same time. "A place far from the reach of innocent lives, where no harm shall come to kingdoms or cities. There, we will wait for Vorathis—and there, we shall face him."
The room grew quiet. Even the torches along the stone walls flickered as if pausing to listen. Guy Crimson, lounging with his usual air of arrogance, tilted his head and smirked. His crimson hair caught the firelight as he leaned forward, curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"And where, exactly, would that be?" Guy asked smoothly, his voice calm but edged with the sharpness of someone who always demanded specifics.
Veldora lifted his hand slowly, almost theatrically, as if he had been waiting for that very question. With a snap of his fingers, a shimmering light formed in the air above the table. In a blink, a grand map appeared, glowing faintly with arcane power.
The map stretched wide, showing mountains, seas, forests, and cities, each marked with a gentle glow. But Veldora's finger traced past them all, to a shadowed area beyond the Storm Kingdom.
"There," Veldora said, his voice deep and steady like the earth itself. "A vast, deserted land. No people. No villages. No kingdoms. Nothing but empty plains and endless sky. It is the perfect battlefield. No innocents to be caught in the crossfire—only us and Vorathis."
The others leaned in, their eyes following the path Veldora's finger traced. The land was indeed empty, almost forgotten, stretching like an endless desert of grass and stone.
One of the generals muttered, "That place… it feels cursed."
Guy chuckled, his eyes gleaming with a strange excitement. "Cursed or not, it sounds perfect. A battlefield with no distractions. Just power against power."
Another spoke up, voice uncertain. "But… to leave our kingdoms unguarded—"
Veldora cut in smoothly, his tone calm but firm. "I have already thought of that." He turned toward the side, his gaze sharp as it landed on Benimaru.
"Benimaru," Veldora said, his voice taking on the weight of a king addressing a trusted knight. "While we are gone, the kingdom will rest in your hands. You are to oversee its safety, its people, and its honor until we return. Consider this not a burden, but a test of your leadership."
Benimaru straightened instantly, his fiery red eyes burning with determination. He placed his fist over his chest and bowed slightly. "You honor me, Lord Veldora. I will not fail you. The kingdom will stand strong until your return."
Veldora nodded with approval, his expression softening just a little. "That is what I wished to hear. Stand tall, Benimaru, for strength is not only in battle but in the will to protect."
The group murmured in agreement, and a spark of excitement grew in the air. The map still glowed above them, casting light across their faces.
"So it is decided," Veldora announced, his tone final and majestic. "We travel to the desolate land beyond the Storm Kingdom. There, we will face Vorathis, and there, we shall carve the truth of our power into the earth itself."
Guy smirked and leaned back, the firelight dancing in his eyes. "Hmph. Finally, something entertaining."
A rumble of laughter rolled from Veldora's chest, deep and booming, yet oddly reassuring. "Entertaining, yes. But remember—this battle is not just for glory. It is for balance, for peace, and for the future of all who live under our watch."
For a moment, silence fell. Then, one by one, the others nodded in agreement. The plan was set, the destination chosen, and the battlefield prepared.
The air around them seemed to thrum with anticipation, as though the world itself knew that something monumental was about to unfold.