"Control yourself, Ikku," Zeno said firmly. "Missak told you, didn't he? This isn't your fight."
"I… I know! But… I'm sorry… TURBO!"
"IKKU! NO!" Zeno shouted.
It was too late. The crimson aura burst around Ikku as he launched himself downward like a blazing comet. Myu, who had been about to finish Missak off, suddenly staggered back, struck hard by Ikku's furious attack.
Incredible, Myu thought. Even though my sensors picked him up, he moved too fast for me to dodge.
"What are you playing at?" he demanded. "Do you even realize the consequences of your actions?"
"You're wrong," Ikku shot back. "I'm not acting as a soldier of Nexus, or of Isru. I'm acting as a selfish fool… who refuses to abandon his friends."
"I… Ikku…" Missak murmured weakly, barely conscious. "You… idiot… we told you… not to interfere… this is… our fight…"
"The fight of my friends is my fight," Ikku declared without hesitation.
Those words resonated deeply. Missak and the LVD, beaten and broken, could only whisper a single word in unison:
"Thank you…"
Zeno appeared at Ikku's side, his face as impassive as ever.
"Zeno, his actions could have catastrophic consequences," Myu warned.
"That's true," Zeno admitted. "But as you heard, his actions are his alone. They don't involve Nexus."
"I see… Then you have no objections if I kill him here and now?"
"I already told you. His choice is his own."
Ikku met Zeno's gaze, and he understood. His master had intervened not to stop him, but to protect him. By declaring Nexus uninvolved, Zeno shielded them all from political fallout.
Thank you, Master Zeno, Ikku thought with resolve.
"Very well," Myu said, his aura swelling as he advanced. "Those who imitate a people will be treated as one of them. Die alongside the rebels!"
Before he could strike, a voice rang out.
"Hold it right there."
Ikku froze. He knew that voice. His heart leapt.
"Kenny! Carla! Yumé!" he exclaimed with relief as his friends rushed onto the battlefield.
"What are you doing here?" Ikku asked.
"In case you forgot, we're part of this mission too," Carla replied firmly.
"Exactly!" Yumé added with a grin. "It's just that Master Zeno is way too fast, so it took us longer to catch up."
"To be precise," Kenny corrected, "he told us to wait. But we weren't about to let you have all the fun."
"I'm so glad you're here," Ikku said, his eyes softening. "But this fight… it doesn't concern you. I'll explain later, but the rebels are right. I have to stop Myu from hurting them."
"If you intervene, I'll kill you too," Myu said flatly.
"Idiot," Kenny retorted. "We already know the truth. Why do you think it took us so long to get here?"
"What do you mean?" Myu demanded.
Another voice suddenly cut in, calm, familiar, almost mocking:
"Well, well… It's been a while, little Myu. Where's that rascal Sorento hiding?"
Both Myu and Ikku turned at once. Sitting casually on a small wall was none other than Ryu, the king of Kul-Elna.
"What is the king of Kul-Elna doing here?!" Myu exclaimed, stunned. "Is this a declaration of war?"
"Of course not," Ryu replied calmly, waving a hand. "You youngsters are far too eager for war. I came to prevent a bloodbath. You can abandon this mission and return home."
"What?! Who do you think you are? Even if you're a king, watch your words carefully. I obey only one man!"
"And it just so happens," Ryu said with a faint smile, "that this man ordered you to retreat."
"What…?"
"I made a deal with King Riku. In exchange for one of Kul-Elna's islands, you will grant independence to Saymar. The king agreed."
Myu turned, glaring at Ikku and the rebels sprawled across the battlefield. His jaw clenched.
"Consider yourselves lucky, you worthless trash. Your lives have been spared today. But mark my words, we will meet again."
With that, he signaled his men. The unconscious soldiers were carried away, and Myu vanished into the horizon with his army.
Ikku rushed to Missak's side, kneeling to help him up. Kenny, Carla, Yumé, and Ryu approached as well.
"How did you know about all this, President Ryu?" Ikku asked.
"Zeno informed me of the situation," the king answered calmly. "I did what I could to arrange matters. Mekira is hiding something… And that island I gave them? It's uninhabited. It may serve us well in the future."
"Thank you, President Ryu," Ikku said with relief.
"So… it's… over?" Missak whispered weakly.
"Yes," Ikku replied softly, smiling at him. "You're finally free."