From the top of the building—
Ruqayya dropped like a shadow.
She landed directly in front of Ali, the impact cracking the ground beneath her feet.
Ali's eyes widened.
Too fast… I didn't even sense her…
Behind him—
A series of metallic clicks echoed.
Cells opened.
Chains hit the floor.
The slaves stepped out slowly, confused… afraid… but free.
Ali snapped his head back.
"Who did that?!"
A figure appeared in front of him.
Rimazu.
Ali's breath caught.
I didn't sense him either… it's like he doesn't exist…
Before he could react—
Ruqayya moved.
A sharp punch—
Ali was sent crashing to the ground.
She grabbed Ryo.
"Let's go."
Ryo shook his head.
"No. Wait."
She paused.
"Free my hands first."
Rimazu blinked. "…What?"
Ruqayya studied Ryo for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…Fine. I trust you."
The chains snapped.
Ryo rolled his wrists slightly, regaining control.
"Get the slaves out of here," he said calmly. "Take them back to the palace."
Rimazu tilted his head. "And the king?"
"Knock everyone out," Ryo replied. "Including him. I don't want him knowing anything."
Ruqayya and Rimazu exchanged a glance.
"…Got it."
Outside—
The freed slaves gathered, weak and shaken.
Waiting for them—
Zain,
Leona,
Aisha,
Scarlet,
Abraham,
Benjamin,
and Bob.
Rimazu landed beside them.
"Forget the plan. Ryo's not doing it."
Leona frowned. "What?"
Aisha sighed softly. "I don't blame him."
Abraham nodded. "He's right. Lives come first."
Benjamin stepped forward.
Wind gathered around him.
"Stage 1."
Air surged beneath the slaves, lifting them gently.
"I'll carry them."
The group rose into the air.
Bob hovered beside them, his mechanical systems humming quietly as he followed.
Scarlet looked back.
"Captain… you're not coming?"
Zain shook his head.
"I'll come later. Go."
They hesitated—
Then left.
Silence.
Zain stood alone.
The wind slowed.
Someone's here…
"…So why aren't you coming out?"
Suddenly—
Two massive shadows dropped behind him.
Blades swung.
Zain vanished—
The swords crashed into the ground.
"Woah," one of them laughed. "Still sharp."
"Swift as ever," the other added. "But not for long."
Zain turned slowly.
Two towering figures stood before him.
He smirked slightly.
"Well… I'll be damned. I thought you two died in the war."
They grinned.
"We're the rulers of the Giala Region."
"Kosu and Dosu," Zain said.
"What are you doing in the Liva Region?"
Kosu shrugged. "Made a deal."
Dosu grinned. "Samurai and ninja. Easy money."
"You saw the bounty, right?"
Zain's eyes narrowed.
"How far did that bounty reach?"
Dosu smirked.
"And it's your majesty when you speak to us."
Zain sighed.
"You're still the same… both of you."
He glanced at them.
"Strong… but sharing one brain cell."
"Hey—!" they both snapped.
Zain's eyes suddenly sharpened.
A cold, crushing presence filled the air.
He stepped forward slightly—
His gaze turned deadly.
"You understand…"
His voice dropped.
"I'm not letting you touch that kid."
Silence.
The giants froze.
Kosu raised his hands slightly. "…Alright."
Dosu nodded. "We didn't know he was with you."
Zain turned away.
"Good."
Then his tone hardened again.
"Now… tell me everything you know about the ones behind this."
Inside the prison—
Ryo and Ali stood facing each other.
Silence filled the room.
Ryo spoke first.
"Why are you doing this?"
Ali looked away.
"…None of your business."
Ryo stepped closer.
"When you captured me… something felt off."
Ali clenched his fists.
"Shut up! You don't know what I've been through!"
Ryo stopped.
"…You're right."
Ali froze.
"I don't."
Ryo's gaze softened slightly.
"…But I've lost people too."
His vision blurred—
A memory surfaced—
On the mountain.
Warm sunlight.
Clothes swayed gently on a line as a soft breeze passed through.
A girl stood there, smiling.
Elizabeth.
She laughed softly as Ryo struggled to hang a cloth properly.
"You're doing it wrong," she teased.
Ryo frowned. "It's just cloth."
She stepped closer, fixing it with ease.
"It's not about the cloth," she said gently.
Ryo looked at her.
Her expression softened.
"I know your past was rough…"
She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"But that doesn't define you."
Ryo stayed silent.
She smiled.
"It's what you do now that shapes you."
The wind blew softly through her hair.
"In short…"
She looked at the sky.
"The past and the future don't exist."
She turned back to him.
"What exists… is today."
Ryo's eyes sharpened as he returned to the present.
"…What exists…"
He stepped forward.
"…is today."
Ali stared at him.
"…Even if I change… people will still hate me."
Ryo shrugged.
"Who cares?"
Ali blinked.
"People who live for others' opinions…" Ryo said calmly, "…are slaves to their own thoughts."
He extended his hand.
"You should be free."
Silence.
"…Come with us."
Ali's hand trembled.
"…Let go of my hand."
Ryo didn't move.
Ali looked down.
Then—
"…You're right."
His voice hardened.
"This system…"
"…is broken."
He looked up.
"I'll destroy it."
His grip tightened.
"So no one has to suffer like my family did."
He grabbed Ryo's hand.
They shook.
Ryo smiled.
Ali… smiled back.