Core Chamber – Resistance Awakens
The ground trembled beneath Kael's boots as he landed hard, creating a small crater. Sweat ran down his brow as the Core's energy pulsed stronger, wrapping around his limbs like phantom chains. But his breath trembled—not from rage, but from hesitation.
He stood frozen.
Zoro wiped blood from his mouth. "He's slowing down."
Chopper blinked from behind a fallen drone. "Is he… hesitating?"
Kael's fists clenched as more fragmented memories danced behind his eyes.
Noel's smile in the library. Her hand on his shoulder after a failed mission. Her body, crumpled in the rubble of Enies Lobby.
His knees buckled.
"You're not like them," Noel's voice echoed again—not from the Core, but from his memory. "You were never just a tool."
Kael growled, shoving the memory away, but it remained.
Robin, stepping carefully from the shadows, finally spoke. "His name was in that file. Noel Varelle. A marine lieutenant. She died during the Buster Call at Enies Lobby."
Everyone paused.
Nami narrowed her eyes. "That was the incident with Robin…"
Robin nodded slowly. "Kael wasn't part of that operation. But Noel was. I believe she was his partner… maybe more."
Luffy blinked. "So he's mad because of what happened to her?"
Robin's voice was calm. "He needed someone to blame. And we were the only ones close enough."
Franky cracked his knuckles. "Guy's running on pain and Core tech. That's one hell of a combo."
"But something's changing," Chopper said, watching Kael closely. "His body's fighting it… the Core doesn't have full control anymore."
Kael suddenly let out a scream, slamming both hands into the floor. The Core surged—but a flicker of blue glowed in his left eye.
---
Observation Room – Caesar's Frustration
Caesar banged his fists against the console. "Why isn't it stabilizing?! The readings are all over the place! SE-RE-RE-RE!!"
Monet stepped beside him, calm but firm. "He's rejecting you. Or maybe… himself."
Caesar gritted his teeth. "The Core responds to will. It's what makes it powerful. But if Kael starts resisting…!"
"Then it's no longer yours to control," Monet finished.
---
Vault Corridor – Law's Reckoning
Law limped beside Smoker, still holding his ribs as they reached the collapsed doorway.
"Vergo's not going to stay down forever," Smoker warned, his jitte dragging across the wall.
"Let's just hope we bought enough time," Law muttered. He glanced at the vial of stabilizer in his coat. "Kael's not the real monster. The Core is."
---
Core Chamber – Clash of Wills
Kael rose again, slower. The Core flared, trying to assert dominance.
But he stood still, breathing hard. "Noel…"
Sanji narrowed his eyes. "He's saying something."
Kael looked at the Straw Hats—sweat-soaked, bruised, yet still standing.
"I couldn't stop it," he muttered. "The fire… her voice… all of it gone. And I blamed you… because I couldn't reach the people who really did it."
Luffy straightened. "You don't gotta fight us anymore."
Kael's body convulsed. The Core reacted violently. It would not be denied.
Zoro stepped forward. "He's breaking free. But if he doesn't win this now, the Core will take him completely."
Kael's eyes widened. "I don't... want to disappear."
Robin stepped closer. "Then fight it. Not us."
The Core screamed—a soundless pulse that cracked the floor. Kael howled, torn between two worlds.
---
System Alert – Internal Override
Red lights bathed the chamber. Caesar's monitor blinked furiously: Core Host Rejecting Overwrite. Stability: 28%... 19%...
"We're losing it!" Caesar cried. "The Core's going rogue!"
Monet didn't look away. "And Kael's going with it."
---
Final Stand Begins
Kael stood at the chamber's center, panting.
The Core flickered like a dying star, wrapping around his arms, his neck. His eyes shimmered—one violet, one blue.
"Get out," he hissed. "Before I lose what little's left."
Luffy looked at his crew. "Let's end this… without hurting him."
Zoro smirked. "So no killing. Got it."
Sanji sighed. "You just had to make it harder, didn't you, Luffy?"
Nami pulled her clima-tact close. "Let's save him."
Kael closed his eyes. "Noel... watch me."
The battle began again.
Time Remaining: 39 Minutes