The battlefield didn't slow.
But something changed.
The ones under the Vessel—
Moved perfectly.
Too perfectly.
No hesitation.
No emotion.
Just execution.
— The Problem —
Juvy deflected another attack.
Light curved—
Redirecting the strike away.
"…They're not stopping…"
Lina stood behind her.
Watching closely.
"…They can't…"
Juvy glanced back.
"…What do you mean?"
Lina's expression tightened.
"…They're not choosing anymore."
— The Truth —
Across the field—
Maxruell grabbed one of the controlled users.
Stopped him mid-strike.
"…Snap out of it," he said.
No response.
The man's eyes—
Empty.
Maxruell's grip tightened.
"…Tch…"
For a moment—
He considered finishing it.
Then—
He threw him aside instead.
"…Annoying."
— Lina Steps Forward —
Lina moved past Juvy.
Slow.
Focused.
"…I think I can reach them…"
Juvy's eyes widened.
"…Lina, wait—"
Too late.
Lina walked straight into the clash.
Attacks came toward her—
Fast.
She didn't dodge.
She raised her hand.
Light spread.
Not as a shield.
As a signal.
— Contact —
One of the controlled users struck—
The moment their attack touched her light—
It stopped.
Froze mid-motion.
The air around them shifted.
"…Hey…" Lina whispered.
"…You're still in there."
— Inside the Control —
The man's body trembled.
His eyes flickered.
For a split second—
Awareness returned.
"…I… can't…"
Lina stepped closer.
"…You don't have to follow it."
Her light softened.
"…Just listen to yourself."
— Resistance —
The Vessel reacted instantly.
At the center—
Its gaze snapped toward Lina.
"…interference detected…"
A pulse spread across the battlefield.
The controlled users froze—
Then surged again.
Stronger.
More aggressive.
— Juvy Moves —
"…Lina!"
Juvy rushed forward.
Light flowing with her.
She intercepted incoming attacks—
Redirecting them away.
"…You're not alone!"
Her voice reached the others.
"…You can fight it!"
— Maxruell Joins —
Maxruell stepped in beside them.
"…If you're going to break free…"
His shadow struck—
Knocking back multiple attackers.
"…then do it properly."
— The Break Begins —
Lina focused.
Her light spread wider.
Touching more of them.
One by one—
Their movements slowed.
Eyes flickering.
Struggling.
"…Come on…" Lina whispered.
"…You're not tools…"
"…You're not pieces…"
"…You're you."
— Turning Point —
One of them dropped to their knees.
Then another.
Then more.
Breaking.
Not fully free—
But resisting.
— The Vessel Responds —
The Vessel raised both hands.
Its control tightened.
"…reclaim…"
The pressure surged again.
The ones breaking free—
Screamed.
Juvy stepped forward.
Her light flared—
But not violently.
Warm.
"…You decide," she said firmly.
Maxruell stood behind her.
"…Not it."
Lina reached out again.
"…Choose."
Silence—
For a split second.
Then—
A surge.
Half the controlled users—
Broke free.
The battlefield shook.
The balance shifted—
Again.
The Vessel stepped back slightly.
"…control reduced…"
For the first time—
It wasn't just challenged.
It was losing influence.