The Conqueror of Flames

3rd POV*

We see a panning shot of the forest canopy before we spot a bird. Then after a few moments the bird was spooked and flew off when Kaval and his party come tearing through the forest. Kaval was currently arguing with Eren and Gido.

Eren was yelling, "Let me remind you Kaval, that this is your fault! Why would you stick your sword into a nest of Giant Ants?!"

At that Kaval responds, "Sh-Shut up! I'm the leader - What I saw goes!"

Eren then yells back, "A leader should probably make smarter decisions, then!"

Gido only lets out a small "Ugh" as they keep running.

Eren the yells again, "If I die I'm going to come back as a ghost and haunt you at night, Kaval!"

Kaval only lets out a laugh before yelling, "Good luck with that!! I'll be a ghost right alongside you!"

Shizu who had stay quiet then stopped and spoke calmly, "I'll hold them off."

Gido, looking back, yelled, "Uh… Shizu?! Hey don't do it!!"

But Shizu remained calm, "Do not worry about me. Even now, I am still capable of helping you escape. If I use," she said as she unsheathed her sword, "The power of flames."

The ants now seeing this human standing up to them with a flaming sword paused but in that pause Shizu was able to cut down 3 of the 4 ants.

The other 3 only looked in shock when Eren spoke, "What's up with that flame anyway?!"

But they she the yelled, "It's not over Shizu! There's one you didn't finish off!!"

However then a voice yelled, "Get down!" Before the last ant was struck with black lightning killing the ant and sending Shizu's mask bouncing on the ground.

After a short period of shock they heard a voice coming from the smoking crater where the ant was, "Whoa, That took me by surprise. I was trying to take it easy but that was still way overboard."

Then another voice spoke from above them as a pair of shadows covered them, "Might want to stash that skill for when you might need it Rimuru." Said a rumbling but female voice.

The first voice responded, "Yes ma'am."

Then a third voice rumbling like the second but male, "Well Rimuru looks like what I told you was right."

The smoke then finished clearing. Before the party of four adventurers was a slime and two moderately sized Wyverns.

Kaval breaking free of his stun stammered out, "A slime. And two wyverns."

Rimuru gave an affirmation. Before he asked if there was something wrong with that. Kaval said no.

Rimuru then bounced over to Shizu and began talking with her, "Here's your mask. This belongs to you right miss?"

He asked if she was injured from his attack and she simply said, "No … I'm fine." Rimuru then remembered the face of the woman that the elves in Dwargon said was his 'Fated One' was, she then continued speaking

"You saved me, thank you."

After a few more moments it became clear that the adventures lost a large majority of their gear. So after some more conversation with the occasional interjection from Grim and Flora. They all began walking towards the village after Shizu picked up Rimuru and began talking to him through a hushed conversation that the rest of the party couldn't hear. Apart from Grim and Flora of course the benefit of being Wyverns.

Soon enough they were back at the village and due to the fact that Shizu, Kaval, Gido and Eren haven't eaten recently, they were given some cooked food in one of the tents.

Due to their size Grim and Flora couldn't be in the tent but they were close by to hear and talk to those in the tent. As the other three devolved into fighting over food. Rimuru, Shizu and the Wyvern duo began talking about their world.

Shizu explained the concept of resistances which while Rimuru had some small shock Grim and Flora didn't. Resistances were important in MH why would they here.

Then Shizu told Rimuru more, clearly more comfortable talking to a fellow Japanese person compared to the two Americans.

Rimuru then told her how he obtained his resistances, "In my last life I got stabbed."

Shizu asked with some shock, "Stabbed?!"

After explaining the sensations he felt when he died he asked if she had a similar story.

She in a way did, she was caught in the Firebombing of Tokyo during WW2. However before she died she was whisked away into this world by someone. Before he fully walked away imbued a fire spirit into her. Explaining her control of them but as well as her fear of becoming attached. As they could burn her friends as well.

Grim huffed out a, "Well our deaths seem minuscule compared to yours."

But soon enough Rimuru offered to show Shizu the world as it was when he died.

So riding on the back of Ranga and through some skill that Rimuru had was able to show Tokyo to Shizu, Grim and Flora. But as they were talking to eachother Shizu suddenly froze and looked like she was having a heart attack. Rimuru noticed this, "Ranga, stop!" He yelled before he turned back to Shizu.

"What's wrong? you look pale!" He was then suddenly thrown to the side by Shizu.

Grim yelled at her, "Shizu! What the hell!" As he began to circle around Shizu.

[My lords] began Advisor [The target's magical energy has expanded rapidly. Be on guard.] with that Grim and Flora prepared to fight, activating their poison sacs and lighting their Flame Sacs.

Grim POV*

From the ground I was able to see Shizu's eyes. They had changed. They didn't carry the same happiness they did when she arrived. No, now they carried a murderous intent.

Suddenly from behind 'Shizu' the trio burst through the forest cover.

"Hey! You four up here!" Yelled Kaval.

Gido then also yelled, "We saw a huge pillar of flames burst out of nowhere?!"

They suddenly ground to a stop as Kaval starts talking again "Wait, is that Shizu? What's going on…?" He said as he took a step backwards.

Gido the puts his hand on his chin which draws Eren's attention, "What's wrong Gido?"

"Shizu … like Shizue? Shizue Izawa? It couldn't be … the very same?!"

Shizu suddenly summons more flames and Gido continues, "Oh that's her alright! She is The Conqueror of Flames, Shizue Izawa!"

Begin Azure Rathalos theme from MHW*

But they begin rambling on. But I had stopped paying attention to them and focused back on Shizu, eventually I tried calling out to her, "Shizu!" I bellowed before stepping forward, "I know you're still in there! Stop this please!"

She calls back, "Get away. I can't hold it back … you must … get away from me…"

Rimuru then replied, "Don't worry Shizu. We're going to undo this curse for you. We've got this."

Shizu looked up. One eye still her's and it crying, she then mutters out a soft, "Please, help."

Rimuru looked at the trio and gave our objectives. Subdue Ifirt and rescue Shizu.

Kaval was sweating but replied while drawing his sword, "Ha Ha … who would have thought we'd wind up fighting a hero from the past?"

Gido gave him a reply while also looking scared, "You never know where life will take you next."

Eventually Shizu's body 'burned' away revealing the cause of this battle, Ifrit.

Rimuru called out to ask why he was doing this but never got a response.

The others were busy defending themselves from the small fore balls Ifrit summoned. Taking back to the air I rejoined Flora, we gave each other a look. Soon enough I dived talons first to try and poison Ifrit. But before I finished I saw Rimuru's water blade evaporate immediately and I canceled my dive to a steadying run of fire balls.

They did little but I did do some damage even if minor.

Then I overheard Ranga, "Master! Spirit Types will not be affected by our fangs and claws!"

Looking down to where Flora had landed. She had also overheard them and was using her heat resistance to help defend the trio from Ifrit's fire. He soon began to make copies of his body. But I could tell these copies were nowhere near as powerful as Ifrit himself.

Eventually Eren used a magic spell, known as icicle lance. It proceeded to punch a hole straight through one of the Ifrit clones. And at that moment, Rimuru, Flora and I had an idea.

Flora talked to Eren, "Eren shot an icicle lance at Rimuru and Grim. We might be able to adapt to them." At that Eren was iffy on doing. But in the battle she did it. With another shout she shot two icicles towards me and Rimuru. I was able to catch it in my mouth and began to eat it. Advisor then notified me that I had gained the skill Ice Breath due to the unique skill Adaptation, they also told be that Flora would also gain it. I then turned and did a run at some of the clones as they tried shooting me down with fire balls. But I dodge most of them and the few that did hit barely singed my scales.

I then began my attack and out of my mouth came an icey breath that I wouldn't have put it past Velkhana to do. In my attack I was able to turn 3 of the clones into ice statues that fell and shattered on the ground before the ice disappeared due to the ambient temperature. And by that time Rimuru had dispatched the rest of the clones.

But just as I looked back a magic circle sprang to life around Rimuru and it erupted into a pillar of fire.

Thinking that someone I was beginning to see as a brother had just died in front me. Both I and Flora let out a piercing roar. It stunned Ifrit and the trio but it also allowed me to close in for an attack with another ice breath.

Ifrit tried to retaliate but failed. However from the pillar came the familiar thread of Rimuru's steel thread.

"Sorry Ifrit, but your flames are useless against us." He then pulled himself towards Ifrit, "Now. Return Shizu to us."

He then used his unique skill Predator to devour Ifrit. Shizu then collapsed out of Rimuru after he had devoured Ifrit. She then before she passed out let out a thanks to all of us.

We quickly rushed her back to the village and into the main tent where Rimuru, Flora and I have called home these past few days.

For an entire week Rimuru stood watch with me and Flora, only leaving to get food and water. Eventually we asked the Advisor about her health.

[It seems that her bond to Ifrit prolonged her life. And with Ifirt's 'Death' her Spirit is weakened.] with that realization we saw that Shizu was awake.

Rimuru spoke first, "Shizu you're awake?!" He yelped in surprise. Even at the provocation to get her water. She denied it. She had lived long enough in this world. But even when she said she didn't want to be a burden on us anymore. We denied her, "We will bear the weight." I said.

"Let us help, in anyway we can Shizu." Flora said

"Please let us help." Came from all three of us with her. She simply smiled before she passed away. But she left us a gift as she asked Rimuru to consume her. So that she may go home. But she told him to leave some hair for me and Flora. As one last gift.

3rd POV*

The trio of Gido, Eren and Kaval are seen walking towards the tent to see Shizu as they had done for the week that she had been asleep.

"I hope Shizu's alright" said Eren.

"Don't worry about her! She's got those three watching over her." Kaval said.

Gido then continued, "Exactly! Remember how powerful that healing potion Rimuru gave us was?"

They then were intercepted by Rigurd, "Ah, here you three are. Are you going to pay a visit?"

Kaval interjected, "You too, Rigurd?"

Rigurd then said, "Yes. I have brought a change of clothes for Miss Shizu." And after knocking on the door they emerged behind Rigurd who was saying, "Lord Rimuru, Grim and Flora, pardon my…"

Before he could continue what he was saying he as well as Kaval, Gido and Eren we stunned at what they saw.

A pair of women and a man. Rigurd raised his voice first.

"My lords, your appearances, what is…"

But before he could finish the other three yelled "WHAT!"

Play Tales Spun through Song from MHW: IB*

A few minutes later the three were clothed and sitting. Rimuru looked like a smaller Shizu just with blue hair instead of Shizu's black.

Flora looked like a grown woman and was decently proptioned. Her hair was a mix of Green, with a few pink and purple strands all with a slight golden sheen.

Grim was a muscular man, standing about the same height as Rigurd. His hair was a brilliant red, with strands of blue and dark crimson, all with a more silvery sheen to them.

The trio of Gido, Eren and Kaval were standing in front of them.

Kaval began talking, "I see. So Shizu passed away."

Gido then spoke, "and you three are still Rimuru, Flora and Grim?"

Rimuru spoke and raised his arm, "It's true, look" as the three of them transformed. Rimuru just became a slime again but Flora and Grim exploded into an array of scales before becoming their Rathian and Rathalos forms again.

Gido said, "That's really impressive."

Eren however spoke next, "Did you three eat Shizu? The same way you ate Ifrit and my magic?"

Rimuru sighed, "It was the one method I had … to see her off."

Grim then spoke up, "We should have consulted you three before we did it."

But Kaval spoke up, "No if that was her wish, then we couldn't argue against it."

Seeing Eren's face Flora then spoke, "We're sorry Eren. We realize this might not sit well with you."

She sighed, "I just wish I could have said my final goodbyes."

Rimuru then said, "Shizu said that she was glad she had fun adventuring with you on her final journey."

After he said that the trio began bickering. Flora and Grim transformed back into thier human forms before Flora whispered to Grim and Rimuru.

"Bickering suits them better than quiet mourning."

The trio then began to get ready to leave.

"Leaving already you three?" Rimuru asked.

Kaval then said that they need to report what happened in the forest as well as Shizu's situation to their guildmaster.

Before they left the tent however, Kaval asked if Rimuru could transform back into his human form so they could do something.

Then they paid their respects to Shizu through Rimuru, Kaval promised to be a better leader, Gido to live his life to its fullest. And Eren gave Rimuru a hug and said that Shizu was always a big sister to her.

But their gear was falling apart. So the monster village gave them some gifts. New armor from the materials in town. A new weapons.

Grim spoke of them, "Gido to you were giving a pair of dagger's that are one of a kind. Use them well." He said before he handed Gido the daggers known as Twin Flame.

"To you Kaval," Said Grim, "A long sword forged from my scales and just s sharp as any other. It's name is Fall"

Then Flora approached Eren carrying a bow. "This is the Princess Arrow. Use it well as it bear my scales. Use it well Eren." She said as she handed the bow to Eren before pulling her into a hug.

"You have some amazing friends Eren. Don't ever let them go, you hear me?" Flora said. Eren we beginning to cry but simply nodded.

And with good wishes from the rest of the village the trio was on their way.

Far away in a wasteland not far from Jura

We see a collapsed and nearly dead Orc. But the Orc is approached by a figure.

"I will give you food and a name." Said the figure.

The Orc asked, "Who are you."

The figure responded, "Gelmud. Think of me as your father. Your name will be Geld."

"One day, the entire Great Forest of Jura will be within your clutches, and you will be known as the 'Orc Disaster' "