Zain went still for a moment, reaching out with his senses. Nothing. Manal's energy had vanished completely.
He turned to Salma. "I can't sense Manal's power anymore."
Salma's expression shifted immediately. "Then let me go. I need to see my mother. I need to know she's okay."
Zain studied her for a moment. "Fine. But I'm coming with you."
"Captain—" Scarlet stepped forward, concern written across her face. "It's still dangerous out there. I can still sense Kival and Ali. They're probably still fighting."
"Don't worry about it," Zain said calmly. "When we get there I'll tell Bob to head back to the ship."
Scarlet hesitated, then nodded. "Fine."
Ryo was already moving.
Blood dripped from him steadily — head to toe, soaking through his clothes, trailing behind him with every step. He turned right and walked toward Salma's mother without slowing down.
Hafsa watched him approach and felt her chest tighten. What is this now? Is he my new master? Am I supposed to bend to his will from today onwards? She clenched her jaw. No. I can't. I'm tired. I just want to see my daughter.
Ryo reached out and took hold of her arm.
She smacked him across the face. Hard.
"I am not going to be your slave." Her voice shook with everything she had been holding in. "I am tired of being seen as an object." She hit him again. "I am a mother. My daughter needs me." She hit him again.
Ryo took every blow without flinching. Without a word. Then, despite it all, he crouched down and lifted her onto his back and began walking toward the ship.
She kept hitting him. "Leave me alone! You evil—"
"What's your name?"
His voice was cold. Flat. But he asked it like it mattered.
She stopped shouting.
"...Hafsa." A pause. "But why does that matter?"
She hit him again.
Zain and Salma were coming from the ship when they ran straight into Ryo heading toward it. Hafsa looked up from Ryo's back and her breath caught.
"Let me go," she said, her voice breaking. "Please. I'm begging you."
Ryo stopped and set her down.
Hafsa ran.
"Mom—"
"My darling—"
Salma caught her mother and held on, and for a moment neither of them said anything. Zain watched them with a quiet smile spreading across his face.
Ryo looked up at the sky, his hair falling over his eyes. Then, loud enough for Salma to hear—
"Happy birthday, Salma." A pause. "I hope your mom and my daggers are good enough presents."
Salma turned. Her eyes were already wet.
"Big brother—"
She let go of her mother and ran to him, throwing her arms around him. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Ryo didn't say anything back.
Then he collapsed — straight down, on top of her.
Salma reacted instantly, activating her size manipulation, enlarging just enough to catch him properly and take his weight. She held him steady, eyes wide.
Zain raised an eyebrow. "So that's your daughter's Stage 1." He nodded slowly. "Interesting."
Hafsa stared at the unconscious boy draped across her daughter's arms — bloody, broken, completely spent. "Mr... could you please tell me—" She paused. " why did my daughter just call him big brother?"
Zain looked at her for a moment, then sighed softly.
"That boy is the reason you're standing here with your daughter right now. He fought Manal for your freedom." He let that settle. "He knew your daughter's birthday. What kind of slave owner remembers that?" He shook his head. "And I just found out you were the present he was trying to keep secret this whole time." He pressed a hand to his chest. "This kid is going to make me cry."
Hafsa looked down at Ryo's face. Something cracked open behind her eyes.
"What have I done," she said quietly. "I have to apologize to him."
"You can do that when he wakes up," Zain said. He turned to Salma. "Take your mom to the ship. Both of you, go."
"Okay." Salma carried Ryo carefully and walked with her mother toward the ship.
Zain waited until they were far enough, then looked up. "Bob. Head back to the ship. I'll handle things from here."
Bob's voice crackled back. "Okay."
Zain turned and began walking toward where Ali and Kival were still fighting. He moved unhurried, hands in his pockets, talking quietly to himself.
"Ryo... you pushed to Stage 3 and minimized the drawbacks by channeling it through your Raiki. That's why you only fainted instead of feeling every bit of damage you inflicted on yourself." He exhaled slowly, something between admiration and concern in his voice. "All you need now is a proper grip on your Raiki. Next time you push past your limits, you might be able to avoid the drawbacks completely."
He looked ahead, toward the clash of steel still ringing in the distance.
"All that's left now is Ali and that samurai."