On Ikku and Carla's side, the traffickers pressed on in pursuit. Once they had gained a reasonable distance from the chaos, Carla called out to Ikku.
— Ikku… I think we're far enough now.
— You're right, he replied, catching his breath. That should do.
They stopped in unison. Not far behind, Ilia, who had been following them all along, crouched into hiding. The traffickers halted too, fanning out into a half-circle to block their path.
Ikku stepped forward, his eyes sharp with provocation.
— Take care of him! barked one of the traffickers. I'll handle the girl.
— Idiots, Ikku smirked. Then come at me! Carla, I'll leave the rest to you.
Without warning, he leapt sideways, resuming his run, half the group chasing after him. The other half turned their attention to Carla. She wore a confident smile, though her gaze was razor-sharp.
— What do we do, Carla? Ilia whispered, voice trembling.
— Don't worry, just stay behind me, she answered gently.
— You'll be following us without complaint! sneered one of the traffickers.
— Then come and try to—
Her words froze in her throat. She had just recognized the man's face. That face… impossible to forget. It was him. The one who had enslaved her, who had tortured her endlessly.
Her confidence shattered in an instant. Memories flooded back, chains, lashes, humiliation. Her body trembled uncontrollably. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, paralyzed by sheer terror.
— Carla?! Carla, what's happening?! Ilia cried out in panic.
— Looks like you finally understand, girl, the brigand sneered, striding forward.
He reached her, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and yanked her head back. Carla remained limp, powerless. The trauma dragged her back to the helpless child she had once been.
The man squinted at her face, then suddenly grinned wickedly.
— Oh, but I know that face… You escaped once, didn't you? Not this time. No, I won't sell you again. This time, I'll keep you for myself!
— N… no… Carla stammered, voice shaking. Please…
— You dare talk back?! he roared, lifting his hand. Let me remind you who's in charge!
But his hand never reached her cheek. It was stopped cold by a gleaming chain that sprang forth, intercepting the blow. Her Brand had reacted on its own, protecting her.
— What the hell?! the brigand yelled. Get this thing off me!
Carla stared at the chain with blank eyes, her mind reeling. She hadn't moved yet her Brand shielded her instinctively. Before the man could recover, several bodies came crashing down beside them, thrown with brutal force.
Ikku strode forward, his eyes blazing with fury.
— CARLA! he shouted. That bastard… he hurt you in the past, didn't he?!
Carla remained silent, lost in the storm of memories. But her tormentor, sprawled on the ground, now trembled under Ikku's glare.
— CARLA! Ikku barked again. All I want right now is to smash his skull! But that's not my fight, it's yours. Your chain defended you. You defended yourself. Even without realizing it, you're stronger than him. Look at him! Does he still frighten you? Can he still hurt you?!
The words cracked like thunder through her mind. She locked eyes with her tormentor, and for the first time, she saw him not as a monster, but as a pitiful, quivering man.
Memories surged anew, her training with Zéburo, the journey to Nexus, every trial endured, the hardships overcome, the battles fought at Ikku's side.
Her gaze hardened. Fear bled away, replaced by a rising fire. Slowly, she rose to her feet. Zéburo's words echoed within her: "You've become strong, Carla. From now on, no one can ever hurt you again."
The man staggered back, visibly terrified.
— W-wait! We can work something out!
— Can he hurt me? she repeated, her voice steel. The answer is NO!
Her chain lashed out, slicing her own palm. Blood dripped freely as she drew a circle of incantation upon the ground. Crossing her arms in an X, she began to chant.
— Tears of pain and rage unite as one,
The smile of guilt appears before the undone…
— Ca… Carla… Ikku whispered, torn between fear and awe.
The sky above them darkened. A violent halo of energy engulfed Carla, lifting her into the air. Her eyes flared with blinding light. Ikku's heart lurched.
— Damn it, she can't hear me anymore, he muttered, panic rising.
He grabbed Ilia, slung him over his shoulder, and bolted away.
— What about Carla?! Ilia cried.
— Don't worry about her! Ikku shouted back. This isn't just some spell. It's a Mantra… and it's way too powerful!
The traffickers froze, terror etched into their faces. Suspended in the air, Carla spread her arms wide, her glowing eyes searing like twin suns.
She spoke again, voice echoing like a curse.
— Destruction always precedes creation,
Conviction leaves no room for hesitation.
O storm of wrath, unleash your might,
Let day give way to endless night!
Her arms shot apart. The blackened sky lit up with thousands of sparks.
— LEVEL THREE MANTRA… RAGNAROK!
A downpour of blazing energy spheres rained down in a twenty-meter radius, exploding violently upon impact.
Outside the perimeter, Ikku shielded Ilia, staring in awe.
Meanwhile, Kenny and Yumé, having finished off the last traffickers by the cage, turned to witness the spectacle.
— So… who do you think it is? Kenny asked, holding an unconscious thug by the collar.
— No doubt about it, Yumé grinned. That's Carla.
The storm raged for two long minutes, then ceased. Carla, still floating, lost consciousness. Her body plummeted, only to be caught by Ikku, who had activated Turbo to reach her in time.
— Carla! Carla! Stay with me!
Her eyelids fluttered open. The first thing she saw was Ikku's face, lined with worry but shining with relief.
— Ikku… she breathed weakly. I… I did it…
— Yes, you did! You're the strongest among us!
— It's thanks… to you… thank you…
Ikku shook his head, smiling softly.
— All the credit is yours, Carla.
Her gaze lingered on him. Then, slowly, tenderly, she leaned in… and kissed him.