Chapter 14: Sleeping Danger And Enthusiasm

"Hey, you little punk, get back here!"

Billy grinned as he sprinted through the bustling streets of Philadelphia, his worn sneakers slapping against the pavement.

His pursuers, a couple of older teens he'd swiped a wallet from, were hot on his trail.

"Catch me if you can!" he shouted over his shoulder, dodging between pedestrians with the ease of someone who had spent his life on the run.

Spotting the train station ahead, Billy veered sharply, leaping over a ticket barrier and onto the nearest departing train just as the doors slid shut.

He caught his breath, smirking at the sight of his would-be captors cursing on the platform.

He sank into a seat, running his hands through his messy hair. "Easy win."

But the train wasn't ordinary.

The usual rattling of the subway was replaced by an eerie silence, punctuated by soundless streaks of lightning outside the window.

Billy frowned, leaning against the glass.

It wasn't Philadelphia anymore.

The train screeched to a stop, and he hesitated before stepping out.

He found himself in front of what looked like the entrance to an ancient castle.

"Where the hell am I now?" Billy muttered, warily stepping toward the enormous doors.

Meanwhile, in Gotham, Batman sat hunched over his workstation, his cowl pulled back to reveal tired eyes scanning reams of alien text.

Alfred approached with a tray of coffee, setting it down beside him.

"Still no progress, Master Wayne?"

"No,"Batman replied curtly, frustration lacing his tone. "The text doesn't match any language on earth"

"So were dealing with alien?"

"Yes.. I've run it through every cipher and algorithm I have." Batman pinched the bridge of his nose. "This won't do"

"Perhaps you need rest."

"Maybe you're right, Alfred," Bruce finally admitted, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his temples. "A little rest might actually help."

"Very wise, sir," Alfred said with a slight smile. "In the meantime, I'll see to it that someone procures the bread you requested from Tempest Bakery in Central City. Anything specific?"

Bruce handed him a list without looking up. "Just what's on there. And make sure it gets here before I wake up."

Alfred gave a curt nod and left the room.

As the door closed, Bruce turned back to his workstation.

His eyes flicked to the file open on the monitor-Rimuru Tempest.

By all appearances, the information was entirely unremarkable. "Rimuru Tempest... Central City resident. Bakery owner. No criminal record. No connection to anything remotely suspicious."

He drummed his fingers on the table, reading over the file again.

Before he could dwell further, his communicator buzzed.

"Batman, you there?" It was robin's voice.

"Go ahead," Batman replied, his posture straightening.

"We've got something... weird down here in the sewers. Found it while trailing some gang activity. It doesn't look human."

"What do you mean by 'weird?"

Robin's voice lowered slightly. "It looks like a fusion of one of those parademons you fought and... some kind of machine. It's alive, but barely. It started moving when I approached it."

"Did it attack?"

"Yeah. I managed to hold it off, but it's aggressive-and sturdy."

"Dismantle it if you can," Batman said, already rising from his chair and grabbing his cowl. "I'll be on my way shortly. Keep it contained until then."

"Got it. See you soon."

As the comms clicked off, Bruce glanced once more at the file on Rimuru Tempest.

Back in the cardinal world.

"You can't keep us here forever, Ciel!" Milim wailed, pounding the floor with her fists. "I want to go see Rimuru! He's my bestie! What if he's in danger out there?"

Beside her, Ramiris was sobbing just as loudly, her tiny fists wiping her eyes. "Yeah! Rimuru's out there fighting monsters! What if he's in danger!!??"

Ciel's calm, calculated voice echoed in the room. "Milim, Ramiris, as I've told you before, Master Rimuru is perfectly capable of handling himself. Your interference would likely disrupt his efforts to blend in. And he's not fighting anyone currently"

Milim shot up, pointing an accusatory finger at Ciel's projection. "That's an excuse! You just don't want us to have fun! You're always so bossy!"

"Yeah, bossy!" Ramiris echoed, flitting up to join Milim in protest.

Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, Veldora lay sprawled on the floor, completely immobilized by layers of magical chains. "You two think you have it bad? Look at me! I only wanted to surprise my little sister-I mean, my dear brother-and this is what I get!" He grunted, tugging at the restraints. "Ciel, let me go! I am the mighty Veldora! You cannot hold me forever!"

Ciel's response was cool and direct. "You attempted to leave the world without authorization for the fourth time this week, Veldora. These measures are necessary for your own safety."

"Safety, my scales!" Veldora roared. "You're just being overprotective you rimuru wannabe!"

"Call me ciel"

The chaos continued until Shuna entered the room, carrying a tray of steaming food.

Her serene smile immediately shifted the atmosphere.

"Milim, Ramiris, Veldora-sama," she said gently. "Why don't we take a moment to relax and enjoy some dinner? You wouldn't want to upset him by skipping a meal, would you?"

Milim's nose twitched, catching the scent. Her anger vanished instantly. "Ooooh, food! What is it, what is it?"

"Sweet rice cakes and soup!" Shuna said, setting the tray down.

Ramiris perked up, landing softly next to the tray. "Well... maybe Rimuru wouldn't want us to be hungry while we wait for him."

Even Veldora sighed in surrender, the chains preventing him from sitting up but not from enjoying the meal. "Fine, but this doesn't mean I've given up! You hear me, Ciel? I'll find a way to see Rimuru!"

Ciel's voice sounded faintly amused. "I will look forward to your next attempt, Veldora."

As the group began to eat, the tension in the room finally eased.

Milim and Ramiris were soon giggling over dessert, and even Veldora's grumbling softened into content munching.

Shuna smiled, satisfied. "There's nothing food and patience can't solve," she murmured to herself.

Ciel, observing from her projection, gave a small sigh of relief. For now, at least.