(As night falls, Karasu flies over Lexington City and suddenly disperse into multiple crows, while Dante falls through the air, soaring without a single care. As he gets closer to the ground, he spins and flips through the air and lands gracefully onto his feet in an alleyway. As he exit from the shadows, Dante's attire suddenly changes into a shiny black silk long-sleeved shirt with black pants and shoes.)
Dante: Did you do this?
Karasu: (I did. That's simple magic for me.)
Dante: Do can do magic? What else can you do?
Karasu: (You'll learn in due time, Dante. Right now, you have a task to attend to.)
Dante: Where are you anyway?
Karasu: (I'm currently scouting out the area in search of anything out of the norm. And do not worry about losing contact with me. You can simply talk or think and I'll respond telepathically as I am now.)
Dante: Okay then, I understand. Let us go and see what schemes I may uncover tonight. I do hope LaRouge actually knows something and didn't waste my time.
(As Dante continues to through the city, he takes a left turn and continues to walk directly to LaRouge's Manor. Once at the gate, Dante simply vanishes inside the manor. As he walks through the crowd of Lexington's richest as they dance, talk and enjoy themselves, he approaches a server and takes a drink for himself.)
Dante: I must admit. It's been a long time since I've been in an environment like this. (He looks around the room) I see no problem in trying to enjoy it, if only for a moment.
(As he takes a sip of his drink, he moves towards the next room which just so happens to be where the main dancefloor is and sees even more people dancing. As he walks around the room, he searches for anyone who pokes out at him, finds no luck. He then looks up at the second floor and almost instantly sees a woman with green eyes, black hair tied up in a long-sleeved black dress. After a moment's glance, the woman makes her way down the stairs and into the crowd as she begins to greet people. While she does this, Dante finishes his drink and looks for another server for yet another drink. As he does this, Karasu contacts him.)
Karasu: (Have you found who you're looking for? )
Dante: No I haven't. And I'm not sensing any type of power here. Nothing. What about you? Got anything?
(Dante sits at the bar and orders a drink.)
Karasu: (Nothing yet. It appears to be a quiet night tonight. I'll expand my search further.)
Dante: Very well then. Good luck.
(Just as Dante says this, the very same woman that caught Dante's eye sits next to him.)
Vanessa: Pardon me, I don't mean to be rude, but were you just talking to yourself?
(She says smiling followed by a short chuckle.)
Dante: Oh! You frightened me.
Vanessa: My apologies. My friends tell me that I have the quietest footsteps. I didn't mean to scare you, although you look as if you'll not afraid of much.
Dante: That's quite the observation.
Vanessa: Am I correct?
(Dante smiles as he takes a sip of his drink.)
Dante: You are.
(They both smile at one another.)
Vanessa: You're a new face here. Mr. LaRouge throws quite a few parties and I've never seen you attend any. Are you new here, in Lexington?
Dante: You have quite the eye-
Vanessa: Vanessa. Vanessa Everwood.
Dante: That's a lovely name, Miss Vanessa. And to answer your question, yes this is my first time here in Lexington.
Vanessa: Well then why don't commemorate this moment? I'll have a drink, sir.
Bartender: Your choice?
Vanessa: I'll have what he's having.
Dante: Are you sure about that?
Vanessa: I am. Bourbon is one of my favorites.
Dante: Is that so? A lady who can drink? Well, I must say that you are indeed a rare species.
(Vanessa laughs)
Vanessa: Am I now? Well, I'm glad to be a rarity in this world. How about a toast? To new faces and new beginnings.
(Dante and Vanessa raises their glasses)
Dante & Vanessa: To new faces and new beginnings!
(They both down their drinks and afterward continue to smile at one another.)
Vanessa: So may I ask your name mister?
Dante: My name is Dante.
Vanessa: What? No last name, Dante?
(She says jokingly)
Dante: I have one, but I no longer go by it anymore.
Vanessa: Why is that?
Dante: Because I wasn't really a part of the family like I thought I was. How about you? Do you have a family?
Vanessa: Are you asking if I have a mother and a father? Yes, I have a family. Unfortunately, though, I'm the only child. I didn't get the chance to grow with any siblings. What about you?
Dante: I have one. An older brother.
Vanessa: And what is he like?
Dante: If I'm being honest, he's a bit of a goodie two shoes with a bit of a hero complex.
Vanessa: And I take it you're the bad one out of the two of you?
Dante: Not by choice of course.
Vanessa: Oh it's never our fault for being the bad ones is it?
(They both laugh.)
Vanessa: Tell me, Dante. How are you on your feet?
Dante: I like to think I know how to use them.
Vanessa: Well then, what do you say to a dance then?
Dante: I don't know about that.
Vanessa: Oh come on. I thought you knew how to use your feet?
Dante: I do, but you didn't say anything about dancing.
Vanessa: If I did you would've most likely had said no. Am I correct?
Dante: Yes.
(As Dante says this, Vanessa smiles as she gets up out of her seat and makes her way to the dancefloor.)
Dante: She's serious about this huh?
Vanessa: What are you waiting for? I promise I don't bite.
(Dante sighs as he gets up and meets Vanessa on the dancefloor. She grabs his hand and they begin to dance. As they are enjoying each other's company, just outside of the city's limits in the forest on a cliff that oversees Lexington City, Azura, leader of Ragnarock arrives to meet a man with long dark blonde hair, blue eyes, wearing a black suit with a long cape flowing with the wind. As she approaches him, she notices that he's looking straight ahead at LaRouge's Manor.)
Mikael: Isn't it beautiful the way a city comes alive in the nighttime? Truly a beautiful sight to take in. It almost rivals a good sunset if I'm honest.
Azura: This is a specific location that you wanted to meet in. Why is that?
Mikael: Don't worry, you'll soon find out why in a moment. For now, why don't we discuss why we are here, shall we?
(As Mikael says this, Karasu senses their presence meanwhile Dante and Vanessa continue to dance.)
Vanessa: I must admit Dante, you're not that bad. You could work on your footwork a little more though.
Dante: I've only had to dance when attending the balls my mother would throw when I was younger.
Vanessa: Ah. That makes sense as to why you're so rusty.
(As Vanessa says this, she laughs while Dante smiles and spins her around then pulls her in close, ending their dance.)
Vanessa: Well that was fun wasn't it?
(Just as Vanessa says this, Karasu implements the knowledge he has learned regarding Ragnarock in Dante's head.)
Dante: (You found them.)
Karasu: (You must move quickly Dante. I don't know how long they intend to converse in the woods.)
Dante: (Don't worry. I'm on my way there.)
(As Dante says this, Vanessa snaps her fingers which catches Dante off guard.)
Vanessa: Are you alright? You disappeared for a moment there.
Dante: Please forgive me, but I must go. Do know that it was very much a pleasure meeting you tonight Vanessa. Hopefully, it won't be the last time.
(As Dante leaves, he stops and turns around.)
Dante: And thank you for the dance. It's good to know that I've still got it.
(He says with a smile. After this, he leaves LaRouge's Manor, makes his way towards the cliff. With his mind purely focused on the task at hand, Dante doesn't notice that Vanessa decides to follow him. Back on the cliff, Mikael opens his hand and out of thin air, a crumpled up ball of paper appears. Just as this happens, Dante vanishes into the forest and hides behind a tree.)
Dante: It's them alright. Azura and four underlings.
(As he says this, he notices someone new among her ranks.)
Dante: What's this? I don't recall seeing him in New Dawn City. And just who are they meeting? Do you him, Karasu?
Karasu: (I do not.)
(Mikael turns around and faces Azura.)
Mikael: Do you know want to know why I first approached you, Azura? It was because of your immense strength and that rare ability of yours. Compulsion correct?
Azura: And what about my strength?
Mikael: You see Azura, out of this entire region of Parahumans, you are a rare breed. I know that you alone are strong enough to lay waste to an entire Grand City, but what I want to know is are your compatriots capable of doing the same?
(Azura walks up Mikael.)
Azura: They wouldn't be in my inner circle if they weren't.
Mikael: Excellent. That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Take this. It holds the location of a few allies of mine. They will be instrumental in aiding you with your new task.
Azura: And what would that be exactly?
Mikael: Well isn't it obvious? Wiping out five Grand Cities and obtaining the rare artifacts hidden in their vaults underneath the palace. We will need them for later. It will make our trip to the Lockheart Kingdom much easier and a lot less bloody.
(Upon hearing this, Dante is stunned.)
Dante: What?!?... Just what the hell is he planning?
Azura: While I do appreciate you wanting to make things easy, I was much looking forward to destroying that place.
Mikael: Oh I wouldn't worry about that. Once we take what I am after, Prince Stephen will chase us and maybe if we're lucky, so will his mother and father. All of them, fully motivated and eager for a fight. Surely that is worth the wait?
Azura: Very well. You've convinced me. I think it's time I return back to base and inform the others.
Mikael: Excellent.
Azura: Before I go, I do have one question to ask. While we talking care of the Grand Cities and collecting artifacts, what will you be doing?
Mikael: Just like you, I too have my own task. One that only I can do. In order to use those artifacts, there is a spell that I must first locate and master. It isn't an easy one either. It'll take a lot my focus and magic to perfect. Believe when I say this, when we complete our goal, you and followers will graciously be compensated and you will earn a favor from granting anything you desire. On that, you have my word, Azura.
(Upon hearing this, Azura smiles with delight and leaves. After this, Mikael turns around and walks back toward the edge of the cliff. As he looks down at the city, Dante walks from behind the tree he was hiding behind.)
Mikael: I was beginning to wonder when you were going to make an appearance...Dante Lockheart.
Dante: I take it by your tone, you knew I was there the entire time?
Mikael: Of course. And before that, you were attending the party at Mr. LaRouge's Manor. Tell me, what purpose do you being here serves? Surely you don't think that you can stop me, do you?
Dante: Well I can't just let you go after hearing your plans now can I?
Mikael: How funny. I don't recall you being your hero of a brother Stephen, Dante. And if I recall correctly, you're the villain here. So what do you gain by standing in my way?
Dante: Well for one, I get to kill you and Ragnarock.
(After hearing this, Mikael burst with laughter as he turns around facing Dante.)
Mikael: I will say this just once so I do hope you listen carefully. You do not want to stand in my way, not if you value your life.
Dante: Was that supposed to be a threat? I'm sorry, but you'll have to excuse me... I'm shaking in my boots.
Mikael: Do not misunderstand, I know just how skilled and dangerous you are, Bloody Crow, but at the end of the day you are still without your powers. Maybe if you had them, then maybe you could stand a chance, but as you are now it'd be child's play.
Dante: Child's play huh?
Mikael: Yes, you heard me. In fact, why don't I show you exactly what I mean?
(Just as Mikael says this, he fires multiple dark purple orbs from his hand towards Dante.)
Dante: This is nothing.
(As Dante says this, his sword flings to his hand just in time to cut through each magic orb to Mikael's surprise.)
Mikael: Oh? Well, that's a surprise. I certainly didn't expect your sword to be able to cut through my magic. Nevertheless, your chances of defeating me are still zero.
Dante: Are you just going to stand there and talk or are we going to do this?
Mikael: Ever the confident one aren't you, Dante? Perhaps we could be allies. I would really hate to kill you and waste such good talent such as yours.
Dante: I could never be allied with someone like you.
Mikael: Very well then. You leave me no choice.
(As Mikael says this, he teleports behind Dante, lifts up his hand that is now engulfed in a black aura and slashes Dante's shoulder leaving a deep wound. After sustaining this attack, Dante begins to feel its effect on his body as he falls to the ground seemly defeated.)
Mikael: Like I said, child's play.
(As Mikael says this, he begins to walk away.)
Dante: Just....Where are you going?!? I...I'm not finished just yet.
(To Mikael's surprise again, Dante slowly makes it back up to his feet while holding his shoulder.)
Dante: While you may have caught me off guard this fight isn't over.
(Just as Dante says this, he begins to hear the very same chant in his head he was forced to endure in Nanbu.)
Dante: No....No no....No! Not again. I can't get this chant out of my head!
(Dante falls to his knees, hands gripping his head in agony as he struggles with the intense pain. As this continues to happen, a red mist starts to exit his body as he lets out a loud scream, forcefully pushing out Amatsu's magic, creating a powerful wave of force blowing back the trees. After exerting so much of his strength, he passes out immediately afterward.)
Mikael: How interesting. He has been afflicted by that horrific sect of worshippers. It's a shame really. I was content to let you live, but now I must do you a favor and end your suffering. Trust me, once you've been touched by his magic there's no undoing it.
(As Mikael says this, he lifts up Dante by his throat and proceeds to dangle him over the edge of the cliff.)
Mikael: So long, Dante. I'll take great pleasure in knowing that it was I who took your life. And don't worry, I'll be sure to let your family know of your demise when I go to visit them in due time. Enjoy the fall.....Your fall into the abyss.
(And just like that, Mikael lets go and Dante falls and teleports aways.)