The battlefield had changed again.
Not because of destruction.
Because of Lina.
— The Silence After Choice —
The two Core Fragments stood still.
No longer attacking.
No longer fully controlled.
Their bodies trembled slightly—
Caught between command and self.
The freed users stared in shock.
"…She reached them…" someone whispered.
Juvy slowly stood.
Her light stabilizing again.
Maxruell cracked his shoulder back into place.
"…Didn't expect that."
— The Vessel Decides —
At the center—
The Vessel no longer watched passively.
Its eyes locked onto Lina.
Completely.
"…anomaly confirmed…"
"…priority updated…"
The air changed instantly.
Juvy felt it first.
"…Lina…"
Maxruell's eyes narrowed.
"…It's targeting her."
— Direct Advance —
The Vessel moved.
Not toward the battlefield.
Not toward the fragments.
Straight toward Lina.
The pressure exploded outward.
Freed users collapsed immediately.
Even the Core Fragments staggered.
— Lina Stands Alone —
Lina's light flickered violently.
But she stayed standing.
Her eyes locked onto the Vessel.
"…I won't let you take them."
The Vessel stopped in front of her.
For the first time—
Its expression changed slightly.
Curiosity.
"…you create deviation…"
"…why…"
— Lina's Answer —
Lina took a breath.
"…Because people aren't mistakes."
The Vessel stared silently.
"…individuality creates suffering…"
Lina shook her head.
"…Maybe."
"…But it also creates love."
Silence.
Even Juvy froze for a second.
Maxruell looked away slightly.
"…That sounded way too heroic…"
— The Vessel Rejects It —
The Vessel raised its hand.
"…irrational…"
Power condensed instantly.
A direct attack.
Toward Lina.
— Juvy Intercepts —
"LINA!"
Juvy moved.
Fast.
Light exploded forward—
Intercepting the strike.
Impact.
The shockwave tore through the battlefield.
Juvy was pushed back—
But held.
— Maxruell Joins —
Maxruell appeared beside her.
Shadow condensed—
Reinforcing the defense.
"…You're not touching her."
The Vessel's pressure increased.
The ground beneath them shattered.
— United Front —
Behind them—
The freed users stood again.
Even the two Core Fragments moved slightly forward.
Not attacking.
Protecting.
The battlefield had fully shifted.
The Vessel stood alone now.
— Lina Realizes —
Lina looked around slowly.
Everyone—
Choosing.
Not because they were controlled.
Because they wanted to.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…This is…"
Juvy smiled faintly.
"…Our answer."
— The Vessel Destabilizes —
Cracks spread across the Vessel's body.
Not from attacks.
From conflict.
"…unity… disrupted…"
Its voice distorted slightly.
"…system instability increasing…"
The sky above Ground Zero warped violently.
Fragments spiraled uncontrollably.
Reality itself trembled.
Kael's expression darkened.
"…That's bad."
Juvy looked up.
"…What now?"
Kael answered quietly.
"…The Source is reacting."