Zed stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Levi's. The air was tense with anticipation as the two former friends faced off. Levi's corrupted arm twitched and flexed, as if eager to strike.
"Levi," Zed said, his voice calm and steady. "It's me, Zed. Remember our missions, our laughs, our victories?"
Levi's gaze didn't waver, his eyes still blazing with rage. But Zed didn't back down. He took a step closer, his hands held out in a calming gesture.
"Levi, snap out of it," Zed said, his voice firm but gentle. "We're here to help you. We won't give up on you."
Levi's response was a snarl, his corrupted arm lunging forward like a snake striking its prey. Zed dodged at the last second, avoiding the blow by a hair's breadth.
The two former friends circled each other, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. The group watched in rapt attention, unsure of what would happen next. Would Zed be able to reach Levi, or would Levi's corruption consume him completely?
Zed continued to exchange blows with Levi, his movements swift and precise. As he fought, he kept talking, trying to reach out to his friend. But beneath the surface, Zed's mind was racing. He was starting to piece together the situation, and a theory was forming.
Suddenly, it clicked. Zed realized that Levi wasn't in control of his own actions. Someone or something was manipulating him, using him as a puppet. And Zed had a pretty good idea who that someone might be.
Without hesitation, Zed launched a sneak attack, dodging Levi's wild swings to slip past him and strike at Carmella. His wind sliced through the air, aimed straight for her.
Carmella, caught off guard, didn't react in time. Zed's wind bit deep, and she stumbled backward, her control over Levi broken.
As Carmella fell, Levi's eyes flickered, and his rage began to dissipate. He looked around, confused, and his gaze landed on Zed. For a moment, their eyes locked, and Levi's expression softened.
"Zed?" Levi said, his voice shaking. "What...what's going on?"
The group held their breaths, watching as Levi slowly came back to himself. It was a fragile moment, and they knew that one wrong move could send him spiraling back into madness. But for now, it seemed like Zed's plan had worked. Levi was back, and he was himself again.
Levi looked around, taking in the scene. He saw the group, battered and bruised, and Carmella, lying on the ground. His eyes widened as memories began to flood back.
"What's happening?" Levi asked, his voice still shaking. "What did she do to me?"
Zed approached him cautiously, his winds still at the ready. "You were under her control," he explained. "She was using you to fight us."
Levi's face twisted in anger and disgust. "We should subdue her before she regains her strength," he spat.
The group nodded, and Sylvia bound Carmella's wrists and ankles, rendering her immobile. Levi watched, still seething with anger.
As Carmella looked up at Levi, a mixture of fear and defiance crossed her face. "You'll never leave this tower alive," she snarled.
Levi's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that," he said, his voice cold and determined.
The group shared a look, and without a word, they knew what they had to do. They would press on, no matter what lay ahead. They would uncover the secrets of the tower.